Michael Carrick has been brilliant for Manchester United since being appointed two months ago; however, despite revitalising the club, he hasn’t yet earned the job permanently.
As the club undergoes a recruitment process, Manchester United fans are firmly behind Michael Carrick, believing he is the right man to get the club back on top.
However, club legends are not so full of belief. Gary Neville has written him off, for example. However, there is some support from Carrick’s former teammates.
Wayne Rooney predicts Carrick will get the job. And now Michael Owen has expressed his disbelief about one aspect of the managerial race.
What’s your biggest worry for Michael Carrick right now?
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Michael Carrick looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
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Michael Carrick speaks during a Manchester United press conference at the Carrington training complex in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Michael Owen can’t believe Michael Carrick isn’t the favourite for Manchester United job
Owen is far from a United legend, but he is a former teammate of Carrick and will be delighted to see how he is faring.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Owen has now admitted he can’t believe that there is talk of Carrick missing out.
“Manchester United have waited about 12 years. They’ve gone for ‘proven’, they’ve gone for legends of the game. They’ve gone for everything. You name it, they’ve gone for it over the last 12 years or whatever since Sir Alex.
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“The one time that actually they’re starting to play well, they’re getting results, the fans are all excited, everybody’s on board. You tell him that at the end of the season, he gets third in the league, and they’re going to say, well, thanks but no thanks. I mean, imagine what happens next.
“Imagine the next man. Just because you give him the job, that doesn’t mean, like, you know, if he does really, really badly for six months and Manchester United are back in 12 or something, you can always change.
“They’ve changed millions of times in the last 12 years anyway. Why on earth wouldn’t you just say, you’re winning now, keep going, this is amazing. They haven’t felt like this for 12 years.
“What on earth are people saying when they say, he shouldn’t be getting the job? I don’t get it.”
Do you agree? Is Michael Carrick the best managerial option?
Is Champions League qualification enough? Or do you need to see more?
Wayne Rooney Michael Carrick
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Owen is absolutely spot on with his questions here. Since the Sir Alex Ferguson era ended in 2013, United have had six permanent managers, and all have fallen short.
So to let Carrick leave in May, if he gets Champions League football and keeps winning, it would be a tremendous risk, which would be the wrong call.
The depleted managerial market makes Michael Carrick the clear target right now
United will be considering countless managers across the world, with data playing a role in Ineos’ decision-making.
However, as of right now, Carrick seems to be the clear and obvious frontrunner, which could always change over the remainder of this season.
This is aided by United’s Thomas Tuchel setback, with the German committing to England and also Carlo Ancelotti remaining at Brazil.
With options dropping, the managerial market isn’t as exciting as it previously looked to be, and therefore, it is Carrick’s job to lose.
If he keeps the momentum and good feeling around the club, it is the logical move to make; even if he only gets next season, he will have earned the chance.
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