When Ruben Amorim was shown the door back in January, few Manchester United fans would have dared to dream of a top-three finish. Yet here we are. With Champions League qualification already secured and just three games left, interim boss Michael Carrick has completely turned the Red Devils' season around.

Sunday's thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool was the latest statement win in a remarkable run that has also seen United topple Arsenal and Manchester City. Carrick's record speaks for itself—just two defeats in 14 matches. It's the kind of form that puts him in a strong position to land the job permanently.

But not everyone is convinced. Former United coach Rene Meulensteen recently sat down with EPL Index to share his thoughts on the managerial vacancy, and he offered a balanced take on Carrick's candidacy.

"The win over Liverpool has definitely helped, but there have still been some shaky performances," Meulensteen noted. "There have been a few results where they have just nicked it at the end. So it hasn't been plain sailing the whole time."

He pointed out that football often comes down to fine margins. "There were plenty of times when they played well under Ruben Amorim, but ended up with a draw or a defeat. Now we are seeing it the other way around with Michael."

United know what they have in Carrick—a club legend who understands the DNA of Manchester United and won everything as a player. But Meulensteen also highlighted what he lacks: "He doesn't have experience managing in the Premier League or Europe. They need to look at what he doesn't have."

It's a familiar story for United fans. The club went down this road before with Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who impressed as an interim but saw things turn stale over time. They'll be hoping to avoid a repeat.

So who would Meulensteen choose if the decision were his? His answer was ambitious. "I've seen rumours that Luis Enrique could look to leave PSG at the end of this season, and he would definitely fit the bill," he said. "But there are other managers who also have good pedigree, but might just lack in other areas."

With PSG reaching the Champions League final for the second time in recent years, Enrique's stock is high. Whether United's hierarchy will gamble on Carrick full-time or look for a proven winner like the Spaniard remains the biggest question of the summer.