Michael Carrick's interim spell as Manchester United manager has put him in pole position for the permanent role, but former assistant Rene Meulensteen believes the club have already made an error by not concluding the matter sooner. Carrick has overseen ten wins in 15 matches since taking over in January, guiding United to Champions League qualification.
Meulensteen, who served under Sir Alex Ferguson, argued that the decision should have been made regardless of recent results. "If you are making such an important decision about the future of the club, you should never let the emotions of winning or losing a game influence you," he told Boyle Sports. "By this time, the conversation should have already been held."
The former United coach suggested that the club's hierarchy should have asked Carrick to present a plan for making United title challengers next season, including what to keep and what to add. He added: "Those conversations should have already taken place."
While acknowledging Carrick's knowledge of the club and the positive response from players, Meulensteen noted that the 40-year-old has yet to manage a Champions League campaign or win silverware as a manager. He advised United's leadership to listen to key players about Carrick's impact, rather than be swayed by the outcome of the final matches.
Carrick's side face Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford this weekend before concluding the season away to Brighton.
