Michael Carrick's impressive start as Manchester United's caretaker manager, culminating in a dominant 2-0 derby victory over Manchester City, has sparked debate over his suitability for the permanent role. However, the club's history of managerial appointments—from Ole Gunnar Solskjær to José Mourinho—casts a long shadow over any decision.
Carrick's tactical shift away from the 3-4-2-1 formation unleashed attacking flair, with Amad Diallo excelling on the right and Bruno Fernandes thriving as a number 10. Yet, parallels to Solskjær's early success are unavoidable: Solskjær's first game after replacing Mourinho was a 5-1 demolition of Cardiff, followed by 13 wins in 16 games before a dramatic downturn.
United have only 16 league games remaining this season, meaning Carrick's audition will be brief. The club's previous haste in appointing Solskjær permanently—despite a poor run of form—serves as a cautionary tale. Ed Woodward's era was marked by such impulsive decisions, including the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, which ultimately undermined Solskjær.
Carrick's prior record includes a second-best win percentage at Middlesbrough and an unbeaten three-game caretaker stint at United. But victory over an injury-hit City, who had lost four consecutive Premier League games, must be viewed in context. If Carrick can replicate that performance against a variety of opponents, he may prove a viable candidate.
The club faces a dilemma: appoint Carrick and risk another Solskjær scenario, or seek an external candidate—be it a Premier League veteran, foreign tactician, or ideological coach—each with their own precedents of failure. Ultimately, the persistent issues at Old Trafford may lie beyond the manager's seat.
