Rafael and Fabio da Silva have both insisted that Michael Carrick should be the firm favourite to become the next Manchester United manager ahead of the likes of Andoni Iraola.
Michael Carrick has become a leading candidate to permanently succeed Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford after his impressive interim managerial spell at the club.
However, the Red Devils have been linked with several other managerial options, including Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Iraola has put the likes of Manchester United on alert after it was revealed that the 43-year-old Spanish manager would leave Bournemouth at the end of the season.
READ MORE: How Steve Holland’s elite coaching experience transformed Michael Carrick’s Man Utd side in Sam Allardyce’s eyes
Michael Carrick reacts as he walks down the tunnel at half-time during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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Rafael’s verdict on Michael Carrick’s interim head coach reign as Andoni Iraola attracts Man Utd’s interest
Andoni Iraola’s contract with Bournemouth expires in the summer and the Cherries were unable to keep the former Rayo Vallecano manager at the Vitality Stadium.
Manchester United legend Michael Carrick suffered his first defeat at home as interim manager on Monday evening after Leeds United’s 2-1 Premier League win.
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Rafael da Silva appeared on the Red Devils’ official podcast alongside twin brother Fabio da Silva after 10-man Man Utd’s loss to rivals Leeds United this week.
The 35-year-old former United right-back said that he has only seen improvement at the Red Devils since Carrick took his place in the Old Trafford hot seat.
“He started very good,” Rafael said on Inside Carrington.
“Of course, he lost yesterday, but all the time he is there, we feel United is improving and improving.
“And I have this mentality we should keep Michael Carrick and give him a chance to let this team grow, you know?”
READ MORE: Nemanja Vidic explains why Jonny Evans is ‘very important’ to Michael Carrick’s coaching Man Utd staff
Is Michael Carrick the right man? United have only won one of the last four games…
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Fabio da Silva breaks down the most important Man Utd feature that Michael Carrick has going for him
Carrick has managed seven Premier League wins from his 11-match interim spell so far after Ruben Amorim was sacked as Man Utd manager back in January.
The 44-year-old ex-Middlesbrough boss has impressed during his reign and Fabio thinks that Carrick’s “intelligence” as a player makes him perfect for Man Utd now.
“Yeah, when I was with him, I [could] see because his intelligence on the pitch and how he read the game so well and the way he talks,” Fabio said.
“I knew [he would] be a great fit for a coach.”
Ineos are tipped to appoint the long-term United managerial successor to Amorim after the end of the 2025-26 Premier League season at Old Trafford.
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