If Michael Carrick Emulates Solskjaer, It Would Be Path To Success — Not Failure | OneFootball

Two games. Two wins.

Michael Carrick could not have scripted a better start as Manchester United’s interim head coach. The former Red Devils midfielder opened his reign with a 2–0 derby win over Manchester City before overseeing a thrilling 3–2 victory away to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Inevitably, the question is already being asked: should Michael Carrick be appointed Manchester United’s permanent manager? It is far too early to answer that seriously, but if Carrick keeps delivering results, the question will only grow louder.

Should Manchester United Make Michael Carrick Permanent?

There is already a chorus in the media urging caution, pointing to the club’s experience with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The argument is familiar: United turned to a former great as interim manager, made the role permanent, and eventually paid the price.

But this line of thinking is built on two shaky assumptions. First, that Carrick and Solskjaer are the same type of manager. They are not. One former player failing does not preclude another from succeeding. Second, it assumes Solskjaer’s reign was an unmitigated disaster. That is a convenient — and inaccurate — rewriting of history.

Reassessing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Tenure

Solskjaer took over from José Mourinho in December 2018 with United sixth in the Premier League.

He won his first match 5–1 away to Cardiff City and followed it with four straight league victories, becoming the first United manager since Sir Matt Busby in 1946 to win his opening five league games.

By March 2019, having won 14 of his first 19 matches, Solskjær was handed a three-year contract. A late-season dip left United sixth, but the general upward trajectory was clear.

Progress, Stability and Near Misses Under Solskjaer

In his first full season, Solskjaer guided United to third place behind Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. In 2020–21, United went one better and finished as Premier League runners up.

He remains the only Manchester United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to secure top-four finishes in consecutive seasons.

Solskjaer split Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s Man City to finish second in 2020-21. Image: TransferMarkt

He also came within a single penalty of delivering a European trophy. United drew 1–1 with Villarreal in the 2021 Europa League final before losing an 11–10 shootout when David de Gea missed the decisive kick.

Did Transfers Undermine Solskjaer’s Final Season?

The wheels arguably came off early in the 2021–22 season.

The return of an ageing Cristiano Ronaldo (right) and the near-$100M signing of Jadon Sancho disrupted a previously settled attack and dressing room. With hindsight, both transfers look like costly mistakes on and off the pitch.

With hindsight, both transfers look like costly mistakes on and off the pitch.

Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021 with United sitting seventh. His caretaker replacement? Michael Carrick, who beat Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Unai Emery’s Villarreal and drew with Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea before Ralf Rangnick’s disastrous interim spell.

Image: @optajoe/x

Would Solskjaer have continued to build if that 2021 transfer window had been handled better? We will never know.

INEOS, Recruitment and Manchester United’s Direction

INEOS have not escaped criticism.

Renewing Erik ten Hag’s contract only to sack him months later, appointing Ruben Amorim to a doomed spell, and dismissing sporting director Dan Ashworth after five months all raised eyebrows.

Yet in the transfer market, their recent recruitment has generally been more hit than miss. Bryan Mbeumo (right), Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Šeško, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu all look like strong additions.

If Carrick were to match Solskjaer’s progress, improved recruitment could be the difference between stagnation and genuine success.

What Success Would Look Like for Manchester United Right Now

Given the club’s current malaise, most supporters would gladly accept a third-place finish, then second — and a European final, ideally with a different result.

From there, it becomes about taking the next step.

If Carrick were to emulate Solskjaer, could the improvement in the transfer market tip the balance between success and failure?

Fulham Will Test Carrick’s Tactical Flexibility

Carrick’s next challenge comes on Sunday, with Fulham visiting Old Trafford. It is a very different test. Against City and Arsenal, the onus was on the opposition to attack, allowing United to counter. Fulham will likely cede possession and defend in numbers. United will be expected to dominate the ball and unlock a well-organized side — precisely the kind of challenge they consistently failed under Ruben Amorim.

After Marco Silva’s seventh-placed side comes to town, we will know much more about Carrick’s tactical range.

Expectations are already rising.