Michael Carrick has expressed that leading Manchester United feels "pretty natural" after guiding the team to a 3-2 victory over Liverpool, securing Champions League qualification. The interim manager has accumulated 32 points from 14 matches since replacing Ruben Amorim in January, propelling the club from mid-table to a top-four finish.
Carrick's Impact
Carrick, 44, is now the frontrunner for the permanent managerial role. Reflecting on his tenure, he said: "It's been a good run. We've beaten some very, very good teams and it's been challenging. Sometimes we've won it in some ways, sometimes we've won it in other ways. I love doing what I'm doing. It's a great position for me to be in and it feels pretty natural if I'm totally honest."
When asked about potential disappointment if not offered the full-time job, Carrick responded: "We will just have to wait and see. When we came in, the Champions League was a little bit in the distance so to be where we are, with three games to spare, is a good achievement."
Match Details
Kobbie Mainoo scored the 77th-minute winner after Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko had given United a 2-0 lead. Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo equalised for Liverpool, but Mainoo's strike sealed the victory. Mainoo praised Carrick, stating: "All the confidence he gives all the players, you want to follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch."
Slot's Controversy
Liverpool manager Arne Slot questioned the legality of Sesko's goal, claiming a handball. Despite VAR review, the goal stood. Slot said: "If it was a touch, which I think it is because if you know a bit about ball sports, you know that if a ball has a certain curve and the curve changes, there must have been a contact. But if it's light then we should have a debate in football about whether that's enough to disallow a goal."
Slot added that Alexander Isak, who missed the match due to injury, is expected to return before the season ends.
