Jamie Carragher has clarified his stance on Michael Carrick's future at Manchester United, insisting it would be "ludicrous" to sack the manager despite not viewing him as the long-term solution to the club's ongoing struggles. Carrick is under mounting pressure at Old Trafford after securing just one victory in five Premier League fixtures and suffering Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of Brighton. United currently sit in 12th position following a last-gasp equaliser that salvaged a point at Fulham ahead of the international break.
Carragher Clarifies Controversial Column
Carragher sparked fury among United supporters by writing a Telegraph column a fortnight ago which suggested Carrick "would never have been approached by another elite club" given his credentials. The former Liverpool defender faced accusations of disrespecting the United manager, who secured the position after making a substantial impression as caretaker boss following Ruben Amorim's dismissal.
However, speaking on The Overlap, Carragher sought to clarify his position, insisting that Carrick remains the appropriate choice for now, even if United ought to seek an improvement come the season's end.
Carrick's Results Defended
"I did a newspaper column a couple of weeks ago on Michael Carrick and, like always happens, nobody really reads the column," he began. "They read the headline and it was seen as though I was having a go at him when it was actually the opposite. I think it would be ludicrous to get rid of Michael Carrick.
"Maybe this is where people think I'm having a go at him. In my mind I don't see Michael Carrick as the United manager. I feel like he's in there doing a job for the club to get them through a rocky period and then almost to pass on the baton. If that's me being disrespectful then I'm not meaning it like that. But he came in and United needed calm, they needed it to not be a circus and it not to be the banter club. He did that amazingly. His results have been unbelievable since he came into the job over the long period.
Champions League Ambitions
"He got the job on the back of that. And the fact he got them into the Champions League brings the money. Man United need to be a Champions League club again, it's not about 'wow we're going to win the league again'. Calm down. Last year, it was false that they finished third. No cup games, Carrick coming in had an effect on supporters.
"They need another season of just making it straight in the Champions League. That's the way I see it. And then it would be the case of [getting] one of the top managers about who could manage a club of that level. I don't like the idea of changing Michael Carrick now or in the next international break - it just needs to be relaxed."
Manchester United's next fixture is not until October 10, when they face fellow strugglers Tottenham in the Premier League. That match kicks off a demanding run of games, including a challenging Champions League away tie at Atletico Madrid, followed by another road trip to Leeds United.
