MANCHESTER, England — Regardless of the outcome at Manchester United this summer, Michael Carrick can take pride in the effort he has put forth to secure the permanent managerial position.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox are carefully deliberating on who will lead the team next season. Carrick has made it clear that the decision is not his to make. However, after overseeing a ninth victory in 13 matches as interim manager, which has placed United on the verge of a Champions League return, he has certainly made a strong case for himself.
The 2-1 win against Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the squad—attacking flair complemented by defensive vulnerabilities. Regardless of opinions on the team’s display against Brentford, Carrick’s record since taking over in January is impressive.
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United has amassed 29 points from a possible 39, climbing from seventh to third in the Premier League standings. Securing just two more points from their final four matches will guarantee United a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Carrick commented, “We’ve given ourselves a fantastic opportunity [to reach the Champions League]. These last two results have been significant… This time of year is critical, and winning consistently is a habit we need to develop.”
“The Champions League is not something we should celebrate prematurely. It’s a goal we need to achieve, but there’s still work to be done.”
The pivotal question remains whether Carrick will be allowed to continue what he has started. While it is crucial for United to choose the right manager, the club’s leadership must also make significant decisions regarding player personnel, particularly in midfield.
During the match against Brentford, captain Bruno Fernandes demonstrated why retaining him is essential. Casemiro showcased the challenge of replacing him, while Kobbie Mainoo illustrated the importance of any new signings not hindering his growth.
Mainoo was instrumental in creating an early scoring opportunity by navigating through multiple Brentford defenders, setting up Amad Diallo, who unfortunately failed to convert against defender Sepp van den Berg.
Carrick praised Mainoo’s performance, noting he displayed “a bit of everything.” He commented on the player’s buildup play, effective ball control, and ability to initiate attacks, highlighting his skills in one-on-one situations as well.
Despite Amad’s early miss, United quickly got on the scoresheet, with Casemiro netting his ninth goal of the season just 11 minutes in.
Finding a replacement for Casemiro is bound to be a costly endeavor when he leaves next month. “He’s giving everything,” Carrick remarked, dismissing any notions of a last-minute change in his own future.
Replacing Casemiro will be challenging, but finding another Fernandes would likely be an even bigger financial undertaking. The Portuguese midfielder is now just one assist away from the Premier League single-season record after providing his 19th assist of the season with a precise pass to Benjamin Sesko, bringing the score to 2-0 just before halftime.
Fernandes could attract interest this summer (he almost transferred to Al-Hilal a year ago), but United needs him to remain with the club, given his leadership and creativity. Carrick emphasized, “Whether it’s through creating, scoring, or influencing the group, he’s had a significant season. He’s here for a reason, and tonight’s performance was another example of that.”
Carrick demonstrated his tactical adaptability after halftime by substituting Amad for Noussair Mazraoui and shifting to a back three to counter Brentford’s offensive threat. This flexibility contrasts with the rigid framework often criticized in the previous permanent manager, Ruben Amorim. Wilcox, seated in the stands alongside Berrada, likely took careful note of this change.
United maintained better control as the second half progressed, and it wasn’t until the 87th minute that Mathias Jensen threatened from outside the box, setting up a tense finale.
By managing to hold on for all three points, United ensured a less stressful conclusion to the season. An extraordinary slump would be required to fall out of the Champions League spots at this stage. A victory against Liverpool at Old Trafford this Sunday would mathematically confirm their place.
Once the Champions League qualification is officially secured, Carrick will have fulfilled all expectations placed upon him by Ratcliffe, Berrada, and Wilcox since taking over. Whether this will be sufficient for him to earn a shot at the permanent job remains to be seen. However, Carrick can take satisfaction in having done his part.