Man United chiefs will have to ‘justify their position’ amid Michael Carrick appointment claim
Michael Carrick is putting himself in prime position to become the next Manchester United manager.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes Carrick is becoming “very hard to ignore” at Man United.
Man United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham continued Carrick’s winning start as interim manager, and the Red Devils remain in the Premier League top four.
Champions League football will be key for Carrick’s future at Man United, but the 44-year-old is currently on course to achieve the aim.
Michael Carrick will ‘require Champions League success’ at Man United
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 “handled himself well” in the role so far.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the club are getting back to basics rather than overthinking things.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Carrick’s handled himself well. The players certainly seem to be responding to him, but I do think it’s still going to require that Champions League success.
“But then it’d be very, very hard for them to ignore him and to bring people in if they need to. Of course, there’ll be a lot of people in sporting director positions trying to justify their position because if Michael Carrick was there all the time, and he’s doing great now, what was all their advice about?
“And all this stuff, you know, and all these great new facts, data situations, when the whole, you know, the solution was staring them right in the face. A lot of clubs have to look at this situation.
“Football, you know, is still very much that human instinct and there is a lot to be said for people that know clubs inside and out. So, fascinating times at Old Trafford, but getting back to simplicity rather than trying to overthink things could be the order of the day.”
Worrying footage emerges after Tottenham win
Carrick could be hit with an injury blow following footage which emerged after their victory over Spurs.
Bryan Mbeumo appeared to be limping when leaving Old Trafford after the match, with the forward having scored the opening goal of the game.
The 26-year-old would be a significant miss for Carrick, having scored three goals in four games under the former Middlesborough boss.