Michael Carrick has made a remarkable beginning to his second appointment as Manchester United head coach.
With three matches and three victories under his belt, he has overcome notable managers including Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, and Marco Silva. The team is on the verge of securing a top-four finish, which would ensure their return to the Champions League next season—this comes just weeks after concerns arose about facing a second consecutive year without European competition.
It’s no surprise that some analysts are already suggesting that United should consider making Carrick the permanent manager.
However, most others remain cautious—at least for the time being.
The club itself is maintaining a stance of silence.
After parting ways with Ruben Amorim on January 5, club insiders committed to conducting a thorough search for potential candidates. Conversations with those familiar with the situation indicate that this approach remains unchanged.
Several compelling reasons exist as to why it may take some time before United reaches a decision.
The Lesson from Solskjaer
When United dismissed Jose Mourinho in December 2018, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed as interim manager until the season’s end.
This decision stemmed from hopes that a club legend could uplift team morale.
The results were nothing short of extraordinary, as United achieved victory in Solskjaer’s first eight matches, including impressive wins against Tottenham and Arsenal.
In his first 17 matches, the sole defeat came against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League. United turned the tide three weeks later, winning a tie that is now regarded among the greatest in the club’s history thanks to a Marcus Rashford penalty.
Just three weeks after that, Solskjaer was awarded a three-year contract.
However, the strain of his intense schedule eventually took a toll, as suggested by those around him—the demands placed on his players began to have an impact.
In the last 12 matches of that season, United managed only two wins while suffering eight losses.
This decline has led many to argue that the club acted prematurely in naming Solskjaer manager and that he may not have received the role had they waited until summer.
While a different individual—Sir Jim Ratcliffe—now oversees football operations, this historical precedent suggests a more measured approach might be wise.
The World Cup Implications
Another significant reason for postponing a decision relates to the potential availability of candidates currently employed elsewhere.
In the Premier League alone, names like Oliver Glasner—who has already announced he will depart Crystal Palace—Andoni Iraola from Bournemouth, and Marco Silva from Fulham are all notable figures possibly on the market.
Additionally, there are international managers to consider.
England coach Thomas Tuchel has engaged with United regarding Erik ten Hag’s future following the 2024 FA Cup final. United has also been frequently linked with Mauricio Pochettino, who currently leads the US national team.
Alongside them, respected figures like Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil) and Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) are likely to be on United’s radar as well.