Keith Wyness reveals the ‘barrier’ to Man United permanently appointing Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is on course to become the next Man United manager following his fine start as interim boss.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes a “feel good factor” has returned to Old Trafford.
Man United’s 3-2 win over Fulham continued Carrick’s perfect start to life as interim manager, a position he will hold until the end of the season.
Carrick has also enjoyed victories over rivals Man City and Arsenal, with the Red Devils currently occupying fourth spot in the Premier League table.
Michael Carrick ‘looking good right now’ for Man United job
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – states Carrick still needs to achieve Champions League qualification at Man United to be a contender for the permanent job.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the “solution” to Man United‘s problems were always right in front of them.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I still believe that the barrier to success will be Champions League qualification, which is looking good right now in terms of Michael Carrick, but the feel-good factor that’s come into Old Trafford is hard to ignore.
“I mean, Ratcliffe would be lynched right now if he didn’t give Carrick the job as we sit today, but I think there’s still a long way to go. But nevertheless, that solution was staring right in front of them, and it didn’t need the whole Erik Ten Hag, [Ruben] Amorim experiment that they’ve been through and the pain they’ve been through.
“Sometimes football is pretty simple, and I think Man United’s success was always going to be basically a simple formula of working hard through youth, getting an identity and loyalty to players and the club and the fan base, and it seems to be coming back.”
Man United target wantaway star
Man United are keeping tabs on Jean-Philippe Mateta amid his uncertain future at Crystal Palace following a failed January move to AC Milan.
Crystal Palace could look to sell Mateta in the summer, whilst Man United may be willing to let Joshua Zirkzee depart.
Bryan Mbeumo has been utilised as a striker this season, with Benjamin Sesko still adapting to life in the Premier League.