Michael Carrick is making himself undeniable with every win as interim Man Utd manager, but Ineos are learning from a Glazer error which left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in a difficult position.
The similarities between Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have dominated the discussion as the former’s interim success mirrors the latter’s accolades.
To a point, it’s even hurting Carrick’s case, because Solskjaer is unfairly painted as a failure when United played their best football since Sir Alex Ferguson under his coaching.
However, that doesn’t detract from the fact that the Glazers threw him in a pitfall, which is serving as a learning experience for Ineos with Carrick.
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Glazers got ahead of themselves with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Nobody is mistaking the Glazers for having brilliant footballing minds, because even the Solskjaer decision fell into their laps as they were stumbling around.
Having said that, making him the permanent manager was absolutely the right choice, but the timing of it was dicey.
United flew out of the blocks under the Norwegian, and after the memorable Champions League tie against PSG, emotions were at an all-time high.
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The Glazers got swept up in the fan sentiment at the time and got ahead of themselves.
Solskjaer was given the permanent job before the end of the season as the Glazers cemented their reputation of not having a plan in the first place.
That feeling wouldn’t have been lost on the players, because the team’s form fell off a cliff as soon as the announcement was made.
Solskjaer eventually found his groove at Old Trafford and guided United to great league campaigns, but the Glazers getting ahead of themselves didn’t help anyone at the club.
Ineos are saving Michael Carrick from the same trap
Carrick has enjoyed similar early success at Old Trafford, even recovering from a defeat at Newcastle with a win against Villa to answer questions about the team’s mentality.
Michael Carrick is just another Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with better players: __ % AGREE
Fill in the blank. Is Carrick actually a better coach, or are we falling for the same trap again?
Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Man Utd managers
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick as Man Utd managers
Having said that, Ineos are not getting carried away, at least in public.
It is quite possible that they have already agreed to give Carrick the permanent job, but as they know with Glazers-Solskjaer, announcing it right now would be counter-productive.
Carrick is doing the job he was brought in to do, so it makes no sense to change his remit mid-season, even if it is for the better.
The clarity should arrive at the end of the season, when Ineos can calmly judge and analyse the whole season on its merits and demerits.
They especially can’t afford a Solskjaer-like dip after making Carrick the permanent manager, because it can be the difference between UCL and no Europe at all.
They’re doing what’s best, which is to stay the course, stick to the long-term plan, and make decisions based on facts, not sentiment.
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