It was not the finest 90 minutes of Michael Carrick‘s Manchester United career but as he so often has in the Old Trafford dugout, he found a way to marshal his troops across the line.
Liverpool may not be the toughest of tests in the Premier League this term but they are still a side with fine players and the way in which United raced into a 2-0 lead was incredibly impressive.
Matheus Cunha’s deflected strike put the Red Devils in front before a controversial goal from Benjamin Sesko put them two up.
Kobbie Mainoo scored with just 13 minutes left to win the game, but that wasn’t before a dramatic turn of events. Carrick would have been fuming about the way United conceded twice just after the break. Two mistakes led to two goals. His team are better than that.
Alas, Champions League football is secured for next season. That is a huge bonus for a team chasing a new manager and a host of big-money midfielders.
This is a huge summer for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. They have got the interim appointment spot on but can they also strike gold with their permanent appointment?
Champions League football will undoubtedly help them attract some of the biggest names in the sport. Luis Enrique has been linked in recent months, although that one feels unlikely, irrespective of the level of football United are playing.
It may, however, help them land Andoni Iraola. The Spaniard is leaving Bournemouth this summer and has a variety of suitors, including Chelsea and Man United. You sense that the latter would be in pole position to secure his services if the table finishes as it is right now.
What feels like the most likely scenario right now is that the decision makers at Old Trafford hand Carrick the job on a permanent basis.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano. Speaking in his latest YouTube video, the reporter said: “According to my understanding, the chances of Michael Carrick staying at Manchester United beyond this season are increasing week after week.”
Romano continued: “Now, let me add. Manchester United internally believe that Michael Carrick is the clear favourite to get the job and be manager next season.
“We are still waiting for an official decision by the club. He has an excellent relationship with the board and the players. Soon it’ll be time to make a decision.”
Why Carrick is the best appointment for Man United
There has always been one big worry surrounding this decision. Will it become another Ole Gunnar Solskjaer situation?
The Norwegian enjoyed success in the dugout as interim boss, akin to Carrick and was then given the job on a permanent basis. However, it wasn’t long before he was handed his marching orders. Will lightning strike twice? Surely not, Carrick is a better manager than Solskjaer.
The fact of the matter is that since his arrival back in January, United are the best team in the Premier League. They have lost just twice, amassing 32 points in 14 games. They are five points ahead of anyone else, with Arsenal the second-best team since matchweek 22.
He has overseen wins against not just the Gunners and Liverpool, but also famously against Manchester City, defeating Pep Guardiola in his first match in charge.
It’s been a remarkable period of rejuvenation for United, and one that’s benefitted a host of players immensely, not least Mainoo.
If Carrick is given the gig on a permanent basis, then the youngster will no doubt be delighted. After all, he has been the biggest beneficiary of the interim reign.
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Michael Carrick as interim Man Utd manager |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
14 |
|
Wins |
10 |
|
Draws |
2 |
|
Defeats |
2 |
|
Goals scored |
27 |
|
Goals conceded |
16 |
Under Amorim, the midfielder did not start a single Premier League game this season. It’s baffling that it was ever the case. Such a sequence of events meant it looked like Mainoo would leave on loan
Yet, Carrick has immediately made him an important part of the squad again. Since the former Middlesbrough boss arrived, the 21-year-old has started every single game apart from the 2-1 defeat to Leeds, a match he missed due to a knock.
He has played nearly every minute too. In 12 of the 13 league fixtures he has been available for, Mainoo has played the full 90 minutes, starring as a deep-lying midfielder in Carrick’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
His status in the team is only getting greater and it was the ultimate reward that he was handed a new five-year contract last week. Only days later, he was scoring the winning goal against Liverpool to seal a 3-2 win.
It’s been a phenomenal few days for the England international but it could get better yet. He will no doubt be dancing for joy if United announce that Carrick is getting the job permanently.
He was a monster vs Liverpool: Man Utd star is becoming their new Mainoo
Manchester United sealed a dramatic 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday.