Jamie Carragher has claimed that Michael Carrick would never have been offered a job at a European powerhouse and is still a ‘caretaker’ at Manchester United. The former midfielder took the reins at Old Trafford last season after Ruben Amorim was axed.
He impressed across his interim period, winning 11 of his 16 games at the helm to lead United back into the Champions League. That saw Carrick rewarded with the full-time job as he penned a two-year deal with the option of a further campaign.
Carragher's Verdict on Carrick
But Liverpool icon Carragher remains unconvinced and claims that the ex-Middlesbrough boss would not have been offered a job by any other elite club.
Writing in The Telegraph, he said: “My sense is that while United fans generally understand and agree with the decision to stick with Carrick, they hope he is the long-term answer to get the club back to winning the Premier League or Champions League, while the rest of the world doubts it.
“To most, it feels like Carrick remains an interim solution in all but name, entrusted with the keys to Old Trafford until a super coach can move in during the summer of 2027. Carrick will not see it that way, of course, but there are certain perceptions which will be tough to shake off.
“He is viewed beyond Old Trafford in the same way as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when he was handed the job full time. Their credential for getting the caretaker role in the first place was their status as club greats. Once they performed well it was a sensible and emotional choice to give them the chance to make it work long term.
“That cannot change the fact that based on their coaching CVs alone, they would never have been approached by another elite club in England or Europe, nor would others have had any sentimental attachment to consider when determining the merits of offering a permanent deal.”
Summer Spending and Season Start
Carrick was well backed in the summer transfer market ahead of his first full season at the helm as United spent £140m on Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos. But the Red Devils endured a difficult start to the season after they were beaten 2-0 by newly-promoted Hull City.
They have since followed that up with a win against Ipswich and a draw with Everton. United also got their Champions League campaign off to the best possible start with a dominant win against Sabah. Carrick’s side are sure to get their most severe examination this weekend as they welcome rivals Manchester City to Old Trafford.
