United’s target when Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim was to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Carrick is on course to achieve that and, if he does, it’s a big tick in his box.
Clearly, results so far — and his popularity inside and outside the club — put Carrick in a very strong position, although Monday against Leeds provided something of a reality check and I suspect some food for thought among the club’s powerbrokers.
United insist they are in no rush and that it’s about seeing how the Champions League quest goes before deciding next steps. Should they book their place, I’d expect them to finalise a shortlist including Carrick.
Many feel there’s no way United can overlook Carrick if he delivers, but even then, there are still many factors. How well-equipped is he for the full-time job with such limited experience in such a role? How will he fare juggling domestic and European football, and specifically the blue-riband competition? How will he cope with and contribute to the summer transfer market?
Then you have to think about other options. If the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti were available, we might be having a different conversation. But Tuchel has signed a new contract with England, and he and Ancelotti will be at the World Cup — and, even if they were gettable, by the time they’re free, it will arguably be too late for United.
While Luis Enrique is expected to sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain, Julian Nagelsmann also has the World Cup issue, and there is no indication of Unai Emery leaving Aston Villa — and I’m not sure he and United would be a good fit for one another.
The way things are going, I don’t see United picking the likes of Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner or Marco Silva ahead of Carrick — although if they miss out on the Champions League, I assume they would all come into play. That’s why we’ll have to be a bit patient.
I hear United have completed all of their background work and no doubt spoken to representatives, although I’m told no interviews with candidates have taken place yet; if they had, we would probably have heard whispers at the very least.
It’s a huge call for United and their sporting director Jason Wilcox — he’s leading the process and will make a recommendation to the board. As things stand, it might feel like Carrick is in pole position.
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