ESPN pundit urges Man Utd to be protective with next manager appointment, issues 'going backwards' warning
Michael Carrick is becoming the favourite to land the Manchester United job after a storming start to life in the dugout.Manchester United have a big decision to make at the end of the 2025/26 season, to appoint a permanent manager.Michael Carrick has been hired on a fixed term contract until the end of the season, following Ruben Amorim’s sacking at the start of the year.Carrick has won his first three matches in charge, and he has put himself at the front of the conversation to become permanent head coach.United are playing good football, playing the Manchester United way, attacking football, with late goals too, and look tactically sound.We are all just waiting to see if Carrick can keep this up, and really build a strong case for himself to land the role on a full-time basis.Who do you think will be Man Utd manager at the start of the 2026/27 season?🔮 Let us know who you believe will and should be in charge? Who will Ineos appoint?Michael Carrick is bringing what other managers cannotMichael Carrick has brought the good vibes back to Manchester United, demonstrating his understanding of what the club should be.More United NewsOne of the major complaints about Ruben Amorim was his failure to get the club, and his desire to impose his will and his methods at all costs.Former Premier League star Mario Melchiot tells ESPN FC that he is cautious about shouting for Michael Carrick to get the job, but he thinks United should be wary about appointing another outsider.He explains how the club’s recent history will weigh heavily on the decision facing Ineos.Melchiot explained: “If you are going to bring someone in who understands your culture, you have to be aware that you have tried so many times to bring people in who have not brought the culture back into the club.“Now it seems like something is happening.“It’s still early, I don’t want to speak too loud. When I speak to Manchester United fans they are happy but they are still waiting because they have been hurt so much.”He advises that United could be making a backwards step by bringing in another big name who will have to start afresh.Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto de Zerbi, Oliver Glasner and Thomas Tuchel are four of the many names touted for the job, all of who have no connections to United.He added: “I feel Manchester United have to protect their culture and go after somebody who understands your culture so you can bring things back.“If you are bringing someone in who wants to bring a whole new thing in, you are going backwards instead of forwards.”Speaking last week former Premier League chief Christian Purslow recommended appointing from within, with United now giving Carrick a test run, having gone into the situation without any long-term expectation.Carrick is on course to secure Champions League football, with 14 games remaining.How many wins in a row will Michael Carrick make it now?Three wins from three… it's a perfect start!United may have to be ruthlessDuring the same conversation, former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop disagreed that Michael Carrick should be a top contender.He advises that United’s board must be ‘ruthless’ and not easily swayed, pointing to previous errors.“Manchester United have to be prepared to be ruthless.“Whether it be Solskjaer, whether it be Ten Hag after the FA Cup, United have been too willing to appease and it’s cost them.”The conversation is still taking shape. Three games is too small a sample size to take a definitive view on Michael Carrick.When the season is over he will have had 17 games, and it’s still possible that won’t be enough to give a clear picture.But it should give an indication, and Ineos can only work with the situation they have provided themselves.They deliberately did not rush into a permanent appointment and have time to work through all the possibilities open to them. Carrick right now is a viable option, which he was not necessarily when he took the interim post.
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