Andy Cole has dropped his powerful assessment of Manchester United after Michael Carrick’s massive impact at Old Trafford as interim head coach this season.
Michael Carrick has overseen 10 Premier League matches since Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United manager in January and has only lost once so far.
The Red Devils have won seven of their fixtures under United legend Carrick and the Premier League club are well and truly in the top-four picture in the 2025-26 season.
United’s return to Champions League football for the 2026-27 season is believed to be a key objective for the 44-year-old Red Devils interim boss at Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick now breaks silence on Man Utd contract talks with Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick with assistant Steve Holland during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium in 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Should Michael Carrick be cut some slack because of the decisions that went against Man United?
Manchester United were awarded one penalty vs Bournemouth but denied another just before the equaliser…
Michael Carrick comments on penalty decision in Manchester United vs Bournemouth.
Credit: Getty Images.
Andy Cole asked about the Man Utd narrative shift under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford
The Red Devils are four points clear of fourth-place Aston Villa in the top-four race, but Unai Emery’s men have a match in hand over Michael Carrick’s men.
Manchester United dropped points to Bournemouth on Friday evening after the 10-man Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw by the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium.
More United News
Andy Cole was on punditry for Sky Sports for the Bournemouth vs Man Utd match and was asked about whether the Red Devils were back on the ‘road to success.’
The 54-year-old legendary former Man Utd striker remains hopeful that Carrick can lead the Red Devils back to the Champions League by the end of the season.
“I’ve got my fingers crossed,” Cole said on Sky Sports.
“I’m hoping so. But, you know, I think what Michael wants from now to the end of the season is to continue winning football matches, you know, get himself back into Europe next season, Champions League.
“I think a club like Manchester United need to be in the Champions League. I’m not going to stand there and say they deserve to be there because, I mean, you’ve got to get that right.
“And fingers crossed they’ll be able to do that coming into the season.”
READ MORE: Man Utd fans all saying same thing about Senne Lammens and Matheus Cunha after performances vs Bournemouth
Are you still confident Man Utd will finish third after the draw with Bournemouth?
Champions League qualification only needs top five…
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on March 20, 2026
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Andy Cole’s honest feelings on seeing Man Utd perform under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford
United have enjoyed a major boost in momentum in the post-Ruben Amorim era and Cole said that he has felt Carrick’s impact in how the Red Devils are performing.
“It’s starting to make my weekends a little better, put it that way,” he admitted
“So yeah, I think he’s done a fantastic job to galvanise the teams, to get them back in a position, to find himself in now to be winning football matches again and not just putting a smile on my face, but a lot of people’s faces.”
United will now be out of action due to the March international break and the Red Devils will return to Premier League football on 13th April against Leeds United.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox