Keith Wyness: ‘This is what Michael Carrick must achieve to be permanent Man United manager’
Man United’s owners will come under scrutiny if they do not appoint Michael Carrick and finish in the Premier League top four.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who thinks Carrick should get the Man United job on a permanent basis if they qualify for the Champions League.
Carrick is taking charge of Man United until the end of the season following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Qualification to the Champions League could put Carrick in consideration for the Man United job, with the likes of Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola also contenders for the position.
Keith Wyness drops verdict on Michael Carrick appointment
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 – believes Carrick has already got off to a “superb start” at Old Trafford.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the Man United fanbase would like Carrick as manager if they achieve Champions League qualification.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, I think we talked last week about the financial issues at Man United and that without Champions League they’re going to be facing some big issues.
“I think that’s the clear bar for United and for Carrick. If he gets Champions League it’ll be very hard for them to say no, and I think they’d be pilloried if they do because he will have driven success.
“Obviously a superb start. You couldn’t ask for any more than winning the local derby. It was fantastic for him. I felt very happy for him and United played well, and they deserved it. I do think if he can get some runs going, get them into a Champions League spot, I think that’s what he’s got to do.
“I think anything less than that, then I think they will be looking elsewhere. But if they were to look elsewhere when he delivers Champions League, I think there’d be a bit of a fan outcry and I think that would be difficult for them to explain.”
Man United to wait until end of season on Carrick future
Man United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal has improved Carrick’s position to become the next permanent manager, in what was also a huge boost to their Champions League hopes.
A decision on Carrick’s future at Man United will not be rushed, and the club will continue sounding out candidates before a final verdict is reached.
A final decision is likely to be announced at the end of the season, with Carrick still having work to do to land the job on a full-time basis.