Andy Cole analyses Man United’s title chances under Carrick | OneFootball

Things looked rather bleak for Manchester United before Michael Carrick returned to the dugout in January. The club seemed incapable of producing a string of successive wins and the squad simply could not adapt to the demands of Ruben Amorim’s system.

Carrick was seen as a safe pair of hands for the remainder of the season, and perhaps to secure a return to Europe the following season. However, what the former midfielder achieved far outweighed these pessimistic predictions.

Now, with a two-year contract extension under his belt and the future looking bright, United fans are beginning to dream about returning to the top of the Premier League. It is not just the fans, either, as a former Red Devil has weighed in on the situation himself with an optimistic outlook that supporters will be sure to love.

A successful season

United signed off a tremendous second half of the campaign in style by securing a 3-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, a game that will always be remembered for Bruno Fernandes‘ record-breaking performance. However, it was just one of many excellent performances since Carrick replaced Amorim.

After beginning with thrilling victories against Manchester City and champions Arsenal, the Red Devils secured a return to the Champions League by completing a league double over fierce rivals Liverpool for the first time in a decade.

A third-placed finish was the best anyone could hope for this season and the team delivered just that. Now, with rival teams in periods of transition and the summer transfer window about to open, United fans and legends alike are starting to believe this could be the start of something truly special.

Cole’s thoughts on Casemiro and Ederson

While speaking to Sky Sports, United’s goalscoring legend Andy Cole was asked about the club’s deal to sign Ederson and whether he is the right man to fill the place of fan-favourite midfielder Casemiro. He said: “I’m hoping so. But however you look at that I think Casemiro has been a fine player for many, many years.

“A couple of seasons ago everyone was questioning him. As I say, cream always rises to the top and he did that towards the back end of his Manchester United career and he was fantastic last season.

“So hopefully Ederson will be able to go in there and do a good sturdy job like Casemiro did.”

Cole’s thoughts on Carrick

Cole was also asked about the Red Devils’ success last season, replying: “I think, you know, in the end Michael done a fantastic job to get the club to finish in the position they ended up finishing in. Champions League football come next season. A club like Manchester United need Champions League football.”

The former England international was then asked about whether United could take advantage of the uncertainty regarding the clubs around them in the league, especially with Pep Guardiola having left Manchester City. He said: “The more football matches you win, you never know. And ultimately that’s what it’s about”

“If they can go into this season with the same confidence they ended with last season, you never know what can happen. I think everyone will be thinking like that now. Pep leaving Manchester City that we’ve got a chance of winning the Premier League.

“That’s football. Some days are good. Some days are bad. So you just never know”

Here’s hoping the good days far outweigh the bad next season and United fans get to watch Carrick and his team lift a trophy.

Featured image George Wood via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social