Man Utd analysis: Is Michael Carrick a long-term contender for Red Devils role?

Michael Carrick continued his 100%-win streak as interim manager of Manchester United after an impressive 3-2 Premier League victory over Arsenal on Sunday, January 25.

Carrick’s fired-up United spoiled the party at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners lost at home for the first time this season.

Too early to say, but Carrick has brought back the much-discussed missing “DNA” of the club - whatever that may consist of, writes Sports News Blitz’s Ruben Picardo Ashworth.

However, one thing is certain. United are back to winning big games and getting results against the elite teams in the Premier League.

Since taking over from Ruben Amorim, Carrick has overseen wins over Manchester City and Arsenal - two sides firmly in the title race.

Carrick - initially appointed to steady the ship until the summer - may find himself as a candidate for the permanent position if results continue in the same manner.

Super Sunday delivers

The highly-anticipated Super Sunday fixture did not disappoint.

Arsenal, on the back of two consecutive league draws, started the game well and broke the deadlock 29 minutes into the game.

Bukayo Saka worked it down the right flank and dinked the ball over the trailing leg of Patrick Dorgu to Martin Odegaard, who fired it into the six-yard box occupied by Jurrien Timber.

But it was Lisandro Martinez who got the last touch, as he missed it with his left foot and had it bounce off his right heel into his own net.

Hospital pass

United’s talisman Bryan Mbeumo levelled the tie as a hospital pass from William Saliba to Martin Zubimendi forced a misplaced pass, and presented the Cameroonian with a one-on-one opportunity to take it past David Raya and put it into the empty net.

Five minutes into the second half, a superb edge of the box volley from Patrick Dorgu smacked the underside of the crossbar, giving the away side the lead.

An 84th-minute set piece for Arsenal - a continuing theme for their season – looked to save them from a shock defeat, as Mikel Merino bundled the ball in from close range.

However, three minutes later, substitute Matheus Cunha curled an effort into the bottom corner, sealing a long-awaited Emirates victory.

United now find themselves in fourth place, on 38 points.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Aston Villa triumph 2-0 at Newcastle: A statement win as Villa break Newcastle curse

Premier League focus

A season where they will play the least amount of games possible - due to early exits in domestic competitions and no European football - may have presented them with the perfect opportunity to restore league form.

Carrick’s formation choice of 4-2-3-1, compared to Amorim’s preference for a back three, has been one of the key factors in United’s recent success.

A simple yet seemingly vital change has reinstated balance, improved defensive security, and fluid attacks have emerged.

Dorgu - who signed 12 months ago - has been instrumental for United.

Signed as a defensive asset, he has thrived since moving into an attacking position.

Mainoo back in from the cold

The young Englishman, Kobbie Mainoo, is back amongst the starting line-up after being overlooked by Amorim.

United players are gelling once again, looking sharp and having a newfound spring in their step.

But the burning question is: Do you give Carrick the permanent position if impressive results continue until May?

In short, you can’t say at this moment.

Two games, two wins, against first and second place is impressive.

New manager bounce

However, is this the latest edition of the ‘new-manager bounce’? Results tend to immediately improve when a new manager takes charge after a prolonged period of poor form.

United have fallen victim to this phenomenon before.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came in as the caretaker manager, impressed the board, went on a 14-game unbeaten streak in the league, and was given the permanent role until his departure in 2021.

Now, five years on, there is a growing sense of Solskjaer part two surrounding the latest United interim appointment.

Even if Carrick were to follow a similar path, he may never seriously be considered for the role on a permanent basis.

United swagger is back

Talking on Sky Sports after the game, Roy Keane believes United have their “swagger” back, but doesn’t believe Carrick is the right person for the permanent role.

He said, “If United win every game until the end of the season, I still wouldn’t be giving him the job. I still wouldn’t be convinced he’s the man for the job. Absolutely not.

“They need a bigger and better manager. The size of the club and the challenges they face over the next few years, you want a manager who you feel can get them winning league titles.

“Are we going to sit here and believe Michael Carrick can get United winning league titles? It’s not enough for me. I don’t believe he is the man to get them winning league titles.”

READ MORE: Premier League reactions: Roy Keane unconvinced by Man Utd win, Arne Slot frustrated by mistakes

Blunt assessment

Keane’s blunt assessment of the job Carrick has done seems abrupt and harsh, considering he has only been at the club for two weeks.

History has shown that interim managers, while often viewed as short-term fixes, can still spark meaningful success and restore belief and clarity.

Roberto Di Matteo - much like Carrick, a club hero - stepped up in March 2012 and won Chelsea the FA Cup and their first-ever Champions League.

Hansi Flick transformed a depleted Bayern Munich in 2019, turning them into a pressing machine and blitzed their way to another league title, while also winning the Champions League and DFB-Pokal for the continental treble.

And while Manchester United aren’t in any other cup competitions, a serious top-four fight would ultimately provide them with a relatively successful season.

Neville - Carrick not a long-term option

Also talking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville agrees with Keane and doesn’t think Carrick is the long-term solution.

He said: “I think it’s right that Carrick keeps the job until the end of the season and then hands the baton over to a Tuchel or an Ancelotti, someone of that world-class ilk.”

Since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, United have had 11 different people take charge.

Yet, none have been truly successful.

Neville talks about bringing someone in of that “world-class ilk”, but Jose Mourinho had a spell at the club - arguably one of the greatest managers - and he couldn’t bring them a league title.

Louis van Gaal, another example, failed.

So why would Thomas Tuchel or Carlos Ancelotti be a better fit for United over Carrick, if they have tried so-called ‘world-class’ managers already without success?

Momentum shift

Who’s to say Carrick can’t improve his managerial expertise and become better?  

With a run of fixtures that appear kinder than the tests already passed, United may yet string together another sequence of positive results and force further discussion around Carrick’s future.

It remains early days in his interim spell, but as football often reminds us, momentum can shift as quickly as it arrives.

However, the lingering question remains the same.

Will Carrick be truly judged on results alone, or has the club’s hierarchy already decided his ceiling - regardless of what he delivers between now and May?

READ NEXT: UFC 324 main event reaction: Justin Gaethje defeats valiant Paddy Pimblett in five-round war