Say what you will about tactical proficiency or a god-given right to compete against the best names in the game, but 23 points from a possible 30 is a hell of a return for any head coach in the Premier League.
Michael Carrick has not only settled a shaking ship in the North West; he has transformed morale and led a fragile squad into firm favourites for Champions League qualification.
Victories against Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa were not snatch-and-grab affairs; these were performances that warranted maximum points against a trio of the game’s most respected coaches.
On paper, it seems a foregone conclusion that the one-time marshall of a Manchester United midfield will remain in the hot seat beyond this season, working in tandem with the revered figure and experience of Steve Holland.
Still, things are not always as they appear at Old Trafford, and although it is difficult to argue with the results, it is necessary to assess the entire situation when committing to such a crucial decision.
Is Michael Carrick the answer to Ineos’ search for their Manchester United chief?
When you are faced with answering such a straightforward question, it’s rather difficult to supply an answer without hesitation, isn’t it?
In honesty, 10 Premier League fixtures (12, if you include his brief stint in 2021) is hardly a world-beating barometer for long-term suitability in the division’s most scrutinised position.
But when you unpack his record, eight wins, three draws and a solitary defeat, alongside an impressive 2-0 road victory against Unai Emery’s Villarreal in the Champions League, make for more than a little credible read.
That begs the question of whether a United squad requires an elite tactical whizz to command their every move, or a shrewd leader who has been there and done it, and recognises the importance of an arm around the shoulder.
Following a tumultuous period under Ruben Amorim, the very definition of a stylistic manager, these players have undoubtedly responded to a more understandable approach.
That’s without even factoring in the public appraisal of Lisandro Martinez and his willingness to go on the record in support of his 44-year-old interim coach.
Still, it would be rather foolhardy to immerse yourself in a world where nothing has gone wrong during this period, and the potential stumbling blocks that could surface with the introduction of a busier schedule.
Since Carrick named his first squad for the Manchester derby on January 17, injuries have largely dictated his starting XI, regardless of the opposition.
Now, at a glance, it is easy to factor results versus selection and come to the conclusion that if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it! And I take that sentiment. Ultimately, points on the board are the end goal.
But when you sit back and analyse the performances throughout this period, there have been more than a handful of questionable showings against the ‘would-be’ lesser sides who operate with a more compact structure.
Benjamin Sesko earned a deserved start against Crystal Palace following game-altering goals against Fulham, West Ham and Everton, having come off the bench in each.
He added another against the Eagles in a 2-1 win, before failing to score in the defeat at Newcastle, before returning to the substitutes bench in favour of Amad, who he had replaced in both outings.
Diogo Dalot has started all but one match during Carrick’s tenure, when Noussair Mazraoui was favoured for the trip to St James’ Park. Like Sesko, the Moroccan returned to the bench the following week.
Only Leny Yoro and Matheus Cunha have claimed regular starting positions following injuries to Martinez and Patrick Dorgu, leading to inevitable question marks about the long-term futures of other squad members.
Furthermore, the topic of this interim management team’s capabilities to effectively maintain squad harmony has also surfaced, despite limited gametime to go around.
Perhaps the most damming example of this selection debate occurred in our most recent outing against Bournemouth.
The Cherries, notoriously structured opposition, were fortunate with refereeing decisions on the day, but frustrated their Manchester guests over the course of 90 minutes.
As has become a familiar conversation, the decision to leave Sesko sidelined has raised more than a couple of eyebrows, particularly when Bryan Mbeumo has endured a difficult run of form.
For me, the glaring issues surrounding the Slovenians’ omission can be highlighted with three metrics.
Firstly, Senne Lammens completed just 44% of his long balls (14/32), while Mbeumo enjoyed only 39 touches throughout, losing possession a staggering 13 times.
Bryan is 5 feet 7 inches tall, Benjamin is 6 feet 4 inches, his superior. Does it take a tactical guru to appreciate that a taller striker would be more suited during this particular approach?
Now, all of this alone is not a reason to deny Carrick the opportunity to remain the primary option as a permanent appointment; still, it is a necessary observation.
As you are undoubtedly now aware, we are fortunate enough to speak with several well-trusted sources at Carrington, and I am happy to provide information when permitted.
At the time of writing, I can categorically confirm that Manchester United have not approached any manager about the vacant position.
That is not to say that Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox do not have names in mind; it would be ludicrous to think otherwise. So, please don’t misinterpret proceedings.
However, I feel it is imperative to clarify that, despite what several largely followed social media accounts would have you believe, internal conversations are indeed internal, and the results of these have not been leaked to you-know-who.
We’re told that Ineos’ officials have been impressed by what they have seen from Carrick, Holland and Co, and even believe the group has exceeded pre-determined expectations. As a result, they have already reevaluated their data.
All of this in mind, I shall ask again: Is Michael Carrick the answer to Ineos’ search for their chief? As of now, no. Nonetheless, he is one of the very top candidates under consideration, and that can not be disregarded.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our social channels – photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com.
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