Ex-Manchester United striker Michael Owen has given his verdict on Michael Carrick's credentials to remain in charge of the club beyond the end of the season
Michael Owen working for TNT Sports
Michael Owen is aghast that some former players are so quick to say Michael Carrick should not be awarded the Manchester United job(Image: 2026 James Gill - Danehouse)
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Former Manchester United forward Michael Owen is astounded that former players are being so quick to dismiss Michael Carrick's ability to remain in charge at Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Figures such as former United captains Gary Neville and Roy Keane have spoken out of their desire to see a more established and experienced figure take the helm in the summer. Carrick has pushed United to be a favourite for Champions League qualification, having earned 23 points in his 10 matches in charge.
Owen believes that United chiefs would be mistaken to not harness the momentum that Carrick has brought to the club, if United maintain their form until the end of the season.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Owen, the official UK ambassador for Casino.org , a comparison website highlighting the best online casinos for UK players,
"Well, there are plenty of people that 100% that he shouldn't have the job. Aren't there?" Owen quipped. "I'd be firmly in the camp of Carrick keeping the job.
"I mean, how long is it since Sir Alex left? About a dozen years now. They've tried everything, proven managers. You've had the Van Gaals, you've had the Mourinhos and the David Moyes and then they've gone for ex-players in Solskjaer and then you've gone a little bit left field and appointed one or two others and the new up-and-coming Portuguese superstar or Ralph Rangnick.
"They have tried virtually everything. And after a dozen years of trying and failing, you land on somebody, that's getting a tune out of the players, they're winning games and looking progressive, some of the players are playing the best football they've played in years.
"Imagine if you got rid of Michael Carrick, just imagine it, and you brought in whoever, I don't care who it is, a born winner, they've already had that type of manager. Imagine if things start going poorly again. I mean, the ownership would get absolutely lynched.
Michael Carrick during Bournemouth vs Manchester United
Michael Carrick has made an impressive start as Manchester United caretaker manager(Image: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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"I mean what a stupid... how on Earth anybody can say that he shouldn't continue. What's the worst that can happen? You give him a couple of years' contract, what's the worst that can happen? He starts the next season for the first three or four months, he loses every game and he's useless. You can part company. It's not like you've got to stick with someone for 10 years.
"It's not like this is the biggest decision ever. He's doing well, why not just let it continue? This is absolutely unbelievable what we're seeing from Manchester United. I mean if the league started when Carrick took over, Manchester United at the top of the league.
"You know we're talking at this stage now, we'd be a third of the way through the season, and Manchester United are top of the league, you'd be thinking, can they win the league?
"I mean, what on Earth? Why on Earth is this even a question? I don't, I don't get it. I'm astounded by certain people saying 'No, no, no, they shouldn't appoint him', astounded.
"I'm not saying yeah go and give him a 10-year contract, everything's perfect. But bloody hell, what more can he do? You've just got to let this roll. You've got to let it roll. This is Manchester United looking like they're on the way back at this stage. Why would you interfere with anything?"