Gary Neville has suggested he will fully back Michael Carrick for the permanent Manchester United position under one condition.
Clear frontrunner
Carrick tightened his grip on the permanent managerial position after masterminding a 3-2 victory over Liverpool on Sunday.
Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko found the back of the net to give United a commanding two-goal advantage heading into the break. Liverpool improved in the second half, though they were helped considerably by errors from Amad and Senne Lammens, which let the hosts draw level through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo.
But Kobbie Mainoo delivered when it mattered, blasting home a stunning 77th-minute strike to restore United’s lead and grab all three points.
The win gave United the double over Liverpool and, just as importantly, secured Champions League football.
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Carrick gave the clearest hint yet that he wants the job permanently. He said that the role feels “natural” to him and he is enjoying every minute of it. Carrick refused to be drawn on whether he would be disappointed if United passed him over for someone else, offering only a measured “we will see what happens.”
Neville has been among the most vocal critics of Carrick’s appointment, alongside Roy Keane.
The pair have consistently argued that United need to go for a manager with a higher pedigree than Carrick. Neville stood by his view on Sunday, but suggested he could support a Carrick stay if it were only a short-term arrangement.
Neville’s condition
Neville said on Sky Sports, “There’s no one really being seriously linked with the job. He’s put himself in pole position with what he’s done. He’s re-established a few things. The way the club plays, and the system.”
“I think there are things that have emerged that will give Man Utd fans comfort and that they are in safe hands. Manchester United need some stability. They’ve not had that for the last few years, but he will bring that in the sense that everyone trusts him.”
The former United captain added, “Fans like him, the players obviously like him. The owners will trust him. Next year, he’s got 55-60 games with the Champions League and surely they won’t go out in the first rounds of the cup competitions.”
“Then it’s all a different level of management and scrutiny. It’s a lot more challenging. Does he have the experience? Does he have the body of work to rely upon?”
“Some people say ‘why don’t you give him a year contract and give him a further year to stabilise things further?’ I don’t think I can argue with that. But, if a world-class manager became available that has won titles, Manchester United should probably pursue that route because the last five managers have not had that super club experience. Michael would be another who has not quite got that.”
Carrick and his players are next in action on Saturday when they go away to Sunderland.
Featured image by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
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