Cool Carrick surely deserves the United hot-seat
Results have been spectacular even if the man in the hot-seat is quiet and unassuming
“It’s only easy if you know the answer,” was a soundbite used by Chris Tarrant when speaking to contestants on noughties quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, usually at the point the questions became nominally difficult.
It’s a phrase that sticks in the memory, and one that feels very applicable to Michael Carrick at Manchester United right now.
The last time I wrote on this Substack, it was to endorse Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Ruben Amorim’s interim successor in the United dugout. The justifications for such an endorsement centred around Solskjaer’s ability to lift the mood around Old Trafford simply through good vibes – a term often wrongly mocked in football – and by putting out a simplified tactical gameplan, on a short-term basis at least. Round pegs in round holes and all that jazz.
Carrick has done exactly what many expected Solskjaer would do – and then some. Perhaps United’s wisdom in going for the younger man is paying off before our very eyes, with Carrick quickly (but without ever saying it aloud in press conferences) putting his hat in the ring for the permanent managerial vacancy. Few expected that when he came in.
Now it would not seem foolish for United to appoint him, especially if Champions League qualification is secured, which seems more than likely. A run of seven wins, one draw and one defeat from nine games is mightily impressive, and it begs the question: is the United job actually easy if you keep things simple and strip it down?
Carrick has not overthought his tactics like Amorim and Erik ten Hag did and he has not overspoken in press conferences. Some have accused him of lacking personality in public-facing interviews, yet the squad have bought into his methods and he has quietly inspired players and fans alike – if not all the pundits (see above).
As a player, Carrick was often misunderstood and underrated. He gained a reputation as ‘the quiet man’ who was granted far too few England caps as more famous contemporaries Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes were preferred. Even other ‘quiet men’ Owen Hargreaves and Gareth Barry got more caps and more recognition than Carrick. Some just couldn’t appreciate his skillset.
It appears the former Tottenham midfielder is getting the same treatment as a manager. There are no flashy tactics or headline-grabbing press conferences. There are only solid results and a commitment to controlling the controllables, a term and concept that professional footballers love. It’s minimalist management and, on the evidence of the past couple of months, it seems to be exactly what Manchester United needed. It’s not a project per se, but nor does it need to be.
There are a couple of caveats, events elsewhere that have slanted things in Carrick’s favour.
No European (or cup) football has largely been a boost for United. It has given Carrick and his staff plenty of time to prepare on the training pitch, enabled him to continue with a policy of consistent selection, only making minor tweaks to his attack (swapping Amad for Benjamin Sesko) and keeping with the same goalkeeper, defence and midfield, barring the odd injury. It has kept the noise around the club to a minimum, a luxury others in the post-Fergie hot-seat did not get.
The fact United’s direct rivals for the Champions League places cannot seem to get their houses in order has helped hugely. Aston Villa have been in a tailspin since the start of February; Chelsea are callow and wildly inconsistent; while Liverpool look a shadow of their former selves under an increasingly befuddled Arne Slot. The door has been left ajar and Carrick’s United have kicked it down.
Now just eight games remain for Carrick to get the job done – for United and for his own job prospects. It is far from ridiculous to suggest he is in pole position ahead of illustrious names such as Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann and Oliver Glasner for the manager’s role. Four or five wins will probably do it.
It almost seems too easy. That’s the Carrick effect for you.
Dominic Booth