(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Ciaran Morrison

Sun 10 May 2026 13:37, UK

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Manchester United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe would find it hard to justify Michael Carrick not getting the managerial position on a permanent basis.

That is the view of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who states that Ratcliffe has got “lucky” with the interim spell of Carrick.

Man United have qualified for the Champions League thanks to Carrick’s impressive period in the dugout, where the 44-year-old has only lost two games in charge.

The prospect of Champions League football looked unlikely under former boss Ruben Amorim, and many of Ratcliffe’s decisions on and off the pitch have often split the fanbase.

Man United could sound out managerial candidates like Julian Nagelsmann and Andoni Iraola before confirming the appointment of Carrick ahead of what could be an active summer transfer window at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick backed to earn 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 – would expect Carrick to continue his work in the Man United dugout next season.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness though states that Ratcliffe has made some “very poor decisions” since he joined the club in February 2024.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Ratcliffe landed on his feet and got very lucky despite some of the very poor decisions that he’s made around Amorim, and before that with ten Hag.

“So they’ve got lucky and if they were to try and go against this, that would be a very dangerous mistake for the ownership to make. So I think that Carrick should get the job, and I’ve been saying all year that if he gets Champions League it’ll be very, very hard for him not to get it.

“That will be the case. I expect to see him as Man United manager next season and I expect to see him doing a good job next season and I think they’ve landed on their feet. They’ve got very lucky.”

Man United on course for £37m injection

Man United’s transfer budget is set to be boosted thanks to their return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 campaign.

It was exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Man United will earn £37million more in revenue next season thanks to the Champions League.

Matchday and broadcast income will both increase, whilst more commercial deals could be agreed thanks to the greater exposure that Man United will receive.

Man United face financial concerns due to growing debt behind-the-scenes, whilst Ratcliffe attempts to complete the build of a new Old Trafford which could cost over £1billion.