Alan Shearer has called on Manchester United to appoint Michael Carrick as their permanent head coach but recommended offering him a short-term contract to continue demonstrating his credentials. The former United skipper was installed as interim manager in January following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim and has revolutionised the club's fortunes in merely three months.
Carrick's Impact at Old Trafford
United were languishing in seventh place in the Premier League table when Carrick took over and have since triumphed in eight of his opening 12 matches at the helm. With only five fixtures remaining this season, United sit third and are well placed to secure Champions League qualification for the first time since the 2023/24 campaign.
After suffering back-to-back matches without victory, including a 2-1 home defeat against Leeds, United responded last weekend with a vital 1-0 triumph away at Chelsea. Shearer, 55, has subsequently addressed the trajectory United have followed in recent years on The Rest is Football podcast with co-hosts Gary Lineker and Micah Richards.
Shearer's Criticism of United's Management
When questioned about which club is more poorly managed between United and Chelsea, the Newcastle legend argued the Manchester outfit have not done themselves any favours with the choices they've taken concerning players and managers. Shearer explained: "I just think it's been such a bad look for Man United when they've had to shell out so much on terms of directors of football paying for them, sacking them, paying for managers them, sacking them, giving them huge amounts to spend and then sacking staff who have been there for years. I think that's such a poor look."
Short-Term Deal with Incentives
Shearer then argued that should United secure Champions League qualification, Carrick would merit the position but urged the club to offer him a short-term contract with particular clauses included. He added: "Under Michael (they) have definitely improved and it looks as if they're going to qualify for Champions League. I guess if they do, I'd be for giving him the job. Not on a long term basis and they'll make mistakes as they've done last time, but maybe even give him a one year deal with different incentives in it if he hits different targets."
Carrick's Response
Carrick was questioned about his future in his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Brentford on Monday, as he called it a "privilege" to be in his position. He said: "I've said it many times, I enjoy being here, you know, I enjoy the role I'm in. We've had some good results and we're in decent shape, there's a lot to go, we still want to keep improving, there are layers that we want to get to really. I'll see, I'll keep saying the same things in front of you every week. There is only so much I can say in terms of that, but I've said it many times again, I enjoy being here, I love being here it's a real privilege to be in the position I am. Thriving with the responsibility we have got."
