Michael Owen has given his verdict on Michael Carrick's future at Manchester United (Image: Getty)
Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen is baffled that ex-players are proving so hasty in questioning Michael Carrick's credentials to continue leading the club beyond the current campaign.
Pundits including former United skippers Gary Neville and Roy Keane have voiced their preference for a more proven and seasoned individual to get the job on a permanent basis during the summer. Carrick has propelled United into contention for Champions League football, having accumulated 23 points across his 10 fixtures at the helm.
Owen contends that United's hierarchy would be unwise not to capitalise on the positive energy that Carrick has generated at the club, should United sustain their performances through to the end of the campaign.
"Well, there are plenty of people that 100% that he shouldn't have the job. Aren't there?" Owen, the official UK ambassador for Casino.org, said. "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 has impressed during his time as Manchester United's interim head coach (Image: Getty)
"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?"