When Michael Carrick took the reins as Manchester United's interim manager, the club was in a tailspin. Just a week earlier, they had been held to a frustrating draw by a Burnley side now destined for relegation. But in true Red Devils fashion, Carrick's men responded by toppling the two best teams in the Premier League—a statement that echoed through Old Trafford.
Under their former captain and serial title winner, United have staged a remarkable turnaround. From languishing in seventh place, they've surged to third, securing a coveted return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2018/19 campaign. It's a resurrection that has fans daring to dream again.
Now, with club officials reportedly set to recommend Carrick to owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the top candidate to lead the 13-time English champions into a new era, one burning question remains: can the 44-year-old actually pull it off?
In a Premier League season defined by managerial chaos—Chelsea's latest dismissal of Liam Rosenior after seven losses in eight games is just the latest example—Carrick has been a beacon of stability. His second spell at the helm has been nothing short of transformative.
The Red Devils' recent managerial struggles have often been self-inflicted. While Ruben Amorim's pointed criticism of a lack of board support for his system made headlines, results have ultimately dictated the fate of United's bosses. And for over a decade, every sacking has been measured against the towering legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Carrick, however, is carving his own path. His win percentage of 67% from 15 games in charge is the highest of any United manager since Ferguson himself. Sure, the sample size is small, and he hasn't had to juggle European commitments, but the achievement is undeniable. It has firmly placed him in the driver's seat for the permanent role.
He's been rightfully praised for steering his former club back to the promised land—a feat that may have made him the frontrunner over other candidates like outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. And with that momentum, the pressure of the job might just feel a little lighter.
But can he take them to the next level? Only time will tell, but for now, Carrick has United believing again.