Exclusive: Michael Carrick tipped to land Man United job permanently by former star | OneFootball

Exclusive: Mikael Silvestre backs Michael Carrick to land Man United job on one condition

Following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, eyebrows were raised at the appointment of Michael Carrick until the end of the season.

The slow start with a draw at Burnley and an FA Cup defeat to Brighton didn’t help things for the former midfielder.

However, off the back of two huge victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, the mood is entirely different.

The Red Devils have moved up to 4th in the Premier League table, ahead of rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

Of course it’s early days to say whether Carrick could be the man to lead Man United forward beyond this season, but it’s a conversation that is picking up speed.

Former Man United star Mikael Silvestre, speaking exclusively to EPL Index, has backed Carrick to land the job permanently on one condition…

Champions League football is the key for Carrick

“There is still something meaningful to take from this season, because a top‑four finish remains achievable for United,” said Silvestre, “When you consider the fixtures already out of the way and the mixed form of sides around them, a Champions League place is far from unrealistic, especially with Liverpool below their usual level and Chelsea struggling for consistency.”

“If Michael Carrick can use the recent wins over Manchester City and Arsenal as a springboard, a strong second half of the campaign could well return Champions League nights to Old Trafford next year.”

That will be the major appeal to Man United fans. They’ve only played in the Champions League in three of the last seven seasons and have been out of the competition since being knocked out in the group stage back in 2023.

Photo IMAGO

“If United reach the Champions League, Michael Carrick should be given the opportunity to stay on as permanent manager next season,” continued Silvestre, “Given how frequently the club has changed coaches since Sir Alex Ferguson, they need stability and the ideal candidate is either someone with a deep connection to United or a coach already proven at the very top level. Roles at clubs such as Crystal Palace or Eintracht Frankfurt sit a tier below United, so Oliver Glasner does not quite feel like the right long-term solution.”

Looking Ahead

Man United face a favourable run of games against the likes of Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Everton and Crystal Palace.

It’s a brilliant opportunity for Carrick and his side to carry the momentum from those past two victories and make a serious push towards qualifying for the Champions League next season.