25 Apr 2026 00:52:22
Pep was 37 when he got the Barcelona job, Ancelotti was 36 when he got his first major coaching assignment. Carrick is 44. He's definitely not too young for the job. Like Pep when he first started, he knows the club inside out. For me, given the dearth of great managers out there likely to be available, he's got to be the leading candidate at the moment.
He's done quite well considering the overall quality of the players he's inherited. Could Pep or Carlo win the league with this squad? I don't think so. Arteta? Absolutely not. I like the idea of building some continuity around Carrick, not as manager, but as head coach.
25 Apr 2026 10:56:25
I'm not sure I agree. Apart from a couple of games against City and Arsenal, the performances have been pretty poor.
He's got some results, but not always deserved.
In the last few games the players have looked slow and shown a complete lack of energy.
Is that down to the laid-back training?
Not saying Carrick would be a disaster, but you need the best you can get in every position, including head coach. And I don't think Carrick is the best out there.
That being said, I think he will get the job full time.
25 Apr 2026 11:08:16
We have definitely regressed in our play under Carrick. Too many are swayed by short-term results and the first couple of performances. But we've had a lot of luck, and most of our performances have been quite poor. It is entirely reminiscent of when Ole was hired. It would be an awful error to ignore the signals.
The raw facts are that we're 3rd, and were 5th when he took over. We had the best xG for most of the season before Carrick came in, and now are 4th.
So, it's indicative that we have become less attacking. It has helped in getting results, but it has meant the patterns of play being established have largely gone. I don't want to be too negative. He came in and helped results because he understands the league better, but I just don't see that as being enough to hand him one of the biggest jobs in world football.
There are plenty of good coaches out there.
25 Apr 2026 11:29:18
Forget about what Carrick has done or not since he arrived at Utd.
Utd need a Head Coach.
Is Carrick the best coach available? Would he even be considered if starting from a blank slate?
I don't think so.
25 Apr 2026 12:34:12
I think he is going to get it donred.
I would never let the decision to give Ole the job sway me in my mind that Carrick isn't right for it. I think they are two very different characters, and two very different managers.
I would prefer someone like Enrique, maybe even look to Iraola, as I see him as an excellent coach who has already proven he can cope in this league.
But, the powers that be will know their own mind, and I have to trust in the process when it comes to the footballing decisions.
Yes, RA was a mistake, but I believe that Ratcliffe and co are allowed a couple of them until they get it right.
Most important right now, is ensuring that recruitment is correct and that they get a better balance in the squad, because that is really going to help whoever they choose to be manager.
25 Apr 2026 12:50:22
We disagree on RA, Angel. I think he vastly improved the squad and put in a really improved style of play. We were absolutely dreadful when he arrived. He was part of really improved recruitment. He needed to adjust to the league, and should have done so quicker, but every sign pointed positively with him imo.
He would still be in the job if he were less emotional.
I agree with the rest of what you said though.
25 Apr 2026 13:42:36
I know DonRed, but I just cannot look past his results, style of play, and, most importantly, his reluctance to use a talent like Kobbie. Overall, the positives were few and far between, and the facts and stats speak for themselves.
I don't think he is a bad coach, far from it; he just wasn't right for this club at this time, and it will be seen as a mistake regardless of our opinions.
By the way, you are probably right about that, and I think if he was a bit more mature, less emotional, he may have done a lot better, but this wasn't the right time for him.
He may very well have done well, but elsewhere.
On recruitment, I think it's quite clear the signings are not based on who the coach is. I think the club are very motivated to have a style of play at the club and then buy the right players, and the manager may have a slight say, but that's all it will be.
25 Apr 2026 16:49:44
I agree with DonRed on RA. If we're talking about building continuity, we should have ridden it out with RA, because I do think the long-term would have been positive.
Can anyone see Carrick being manager for 3 or 4 years? I think the answer is no - I haven't seen anything to say he isn't one-dimensional, except for the bizarre selection choices against Leeds.
Even against Chelsea, where we left with everyone singing praises and feeling positive, they hit the bar 3 times and we had one shot on target. That's not grinding out results, that's just luck, and it has to break at some point.
25 Apr 2026 17:09:59
Does he even need to 'get it'? Unless he wants it and will walk without, keep him until we get who we want. Whoever that is. Whether it's by going to get someone, or waiting until they're available.
If it's supposedly a club structure, and he's the coach, then he'll follow the club approach.
25 Apr 2026 20:40:30
So Carricks age at 44 now means he is suitable, heard it all now. His CV is totally and completely inadequate but hey he isn't too old.
Some point the United emotional nonsense where ex players suddenly are seen as above world class managers because they know the club, needs to stop.
Carrick isn't good enough, is a poor choice. However, It's a good choice for the Glazers and SJR because the United fans are easily emotionally led and let's the owners
26 Apr 2026 06:07:44
If new reports are to be believed, you'll all get your wish that it's not Carrick.
Southgate being lined up with Carrick and Holland as coaches for next season.
26 Apr 2026 06:16:25
Forget everything I said and get Carrick signed up. Southgate is the last person we need.
26 Apr 2026 07:53:11
Southgate would be another error. Monumental error. The Glazers just want profit and their dividends back, SJR allegedly wants success, but to me, appointing Carrick, or worse, Southgate, is a terrible error. If they appoint either, it would be clear they are utterly clueless.
The answer is we need to get the Glazers and Ratcliffe out of the club. Now, before they condemn us to mediocrity.
26 Apr 2026 07:58:57
I very much agree with DonRed, jd123, and Red Man re RA.
Carrick and Holland are Southgate.
26 Apr 2026 08:02:35
Carrick can obviously handle the current team and the squad as it is right now.
Can he rip it up (what it needs) and build a title winning team within 12mths?
Maybe.
He wasn't my first choice post Amorim; it wasn't even my 10th choice, but he was selected, and he has, as it stands, got us to third and on the cusp of UCL qualification.
Amorim would also have achieved this, but that is besides the point.
I would like the names to be put on the table so we can see who is being considered, highly unlikely, but I would love to know who is in contention.
26 Apr 2026 12:25:17
The names post World Cup would presumably include Nagelsman, Pochettino, along with Hoeness (who I think is a really strong shout). Enrique is the dream, but that seems very optimistic, if PSG win the CL again this year, I can't see him moving. Iraola and Glasner would both have to rank higher than Carrick too. Possibly Maresca too. Going further afield, Thiago Motta had a bad experience at Juve, but they were a shambles and he was very highly rated before it, so he may be one to look at. I can imagine Carrick being considered in a second tier of options, but there are plenty in that first tier that wouldn't require large compensation fees.