Should Manchester United make Michael Carrick Permanent?

WORDS BY ZAC ASSOUNI

The poison chalice that is the Manchester United manager’s seat has played victim to many since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, and it’s certainly been a tumultuous time for the red devils since their last Premier League win in the 2012/13 season. After the recent departure of Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick would take the reigns as interim manager with the club needing someone to steady the ship but have, they now found someone to bring them back to where Manchester United truly belong?

The main criticism of Manchester United was that they simply were not playing winning football only managing to string consecutive Premier League wins once in Amorim’s tenure. Couple that with another big spending summer transfer window with new signings again struggling to settle in, a change was most definitely needed.

And so, in comes Michael Carrick, a man who played 464 times for Manchester United across a 12 year span coming in as the successor to Roy Keane in 2006. Carrick would immediately transition into management post-retirement serving under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer during their time in the United dugout. From there, Carrick would go on to manage Championship side Middlesborough in his first permanent role taking them from relegation places to the playoffs but was ultimately let go in June 2025 after the club would finish 10^th.

Carrick’s first three games in charge have seemingly restored the feeling that United supporters thought was long lost, beating fierce crosstown rivals Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford, following it up with a dramatic 3-2 win over league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates and now a 3-2 win over Fulham at home meaning United now sits 4^th on the Premier League.

This isn’t unfamiliar territory for United who have gone through many honeymoon periods all ending in heartbreak. Although this feels different, it feels as though there is a future with Carrick at the helm, we are seeing star players such as Bruno Fernandes rise to another level in his preferred advanced midfield role, Kobbie Mainoo regaining his place in the starting eleven and a rejuvenated Casemiro controlling the base of midfield. Couple that with Mattheus Cunha’s recent form alongside fellow newcomer Bryan Mbeumo it seems as though this could be more than a honeymoon.

The main concern for Manchester United, however, is fixing the ongoing defensive woes, especially now having to transition out of a five at the back formation. It’s up to Carrick now to find the right defensive balance with the return of Lisandro Martinez who has partnered Harry Maguire for the three games that Carrick has overseen. The unfortunate injury to Patrick Dorgu who was in the form of his life does hurt but it seems as though longtime stalwart Luke Shaw is filling in just fine.

Those in power at must take caution with the decision to hire Carrick permanently but all signs point to a manager who is simply getting the best out of his players and rejuvenating the Manchester United spirit.

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