If Sir Jim Ratcliffe still needs any persuading that Michael Carrick is the man to take Manchester United forward, Champions League qualification will give him another 100 million reasons to stick with his head coach.
While victory over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday evening wouldn’t make United mathematically certain of rejoining Europe’s elite, they can start digging the old anthem out of the archives and cancelling any midweek plans from September.
Only Brighton would be able to deny United a top-five finish on points over the remaining four games of the season, and Bournemouth on goal difference, if both clubs win all their games and Carrick’s side collapse.
The Champions League was his target when he took over from Ruben Amorim in January, and he can all but deliver it before the end of April. If the 44-year-old can hold onto third place, then even better.
United say they aren’t in any rush to make a decision over the long-term appointment of their head coach, and are focused on qualification.
But Daily Mail Sport revealed last week that Carrick looks increasingly likely to get the job, and being in the top five is the key to the door.
Michael Carrick is hoping to lead Manchester United back into the Champions League
If he does so it will increase the likelihood that Sir Jim Ratcliffe hands him the permanent job
Champions League football is worth a ballpark £100m to United, although the exact figure can vary dramatically depending on performance.
Last year’s winner’s Paris-Saint Germain banked £125m, and beaten finalists Inter Milan £118m, from UEFA’s increased prize pot of £2.14billion.
That’s a considerable difference to the Europa League. United earned £31m after losing the final to Tottenham, who got £35.5m and the more valuable reward of a Champions League place.
This season, Arsenal have already secured £50.57m in prize money alone by reaching the semi-finals before TV revenue is factored in.
So it’s easy to see why a club like United, whose debts have soared to £1.3bn at the last count, place such importance on returning to Europe’s top table.
‘Champions League’s definitely where we want to be,’ said Carrick, a winner with United in 2008.
‘We’ve had some success in the competition, some great occasions and great nights. You can never take it for granted, and just assume that’s where you should be.
‘(Beating Chelsea) Last week was a big result to put us in the position that we are, but nothing’s done yet.’
There will be other factors for United to consider, of course, and Ratcliffe is known to favour having a dominant personality in the dugout. Carrick doesn’t necessarily fit that mould, but crucially he has vast experience of the environment at United and has proved that he is comfortable working in it.
The two men met at Carrington last week, giving Carrick a chance to show United’s minority owner that the right man is already in the building.
‘Yeah, he came in and we had a cup of tea,’ said Carrick. ‘It was a casual chat, to be honest. Quite informal. It was nice to see him showing his support obviously.
‘As a football club, we’re hugely connected all the way through. I think it’s a big part and I’m really conscious of that’s how it should be.
‘I am trying to do my part with that, as well as is everybody else. So, I’ve felt that since I’ve been here since January for sure.’
United are third and are closing in on securing their spot in the competition for next season
The Red Devils have significant pedigree in the Champions League (pictured – Carrick (left), with Rio Ferdinand (centre) and Ryan Giggs (right) after winning the trophy back in 2008)
There is also Carrick’s backroom team which was put together at pace when he returned to the club. Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate have impressed along with two more familiar figures at United, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion, and they are all waiting on a decision too.
‘We’re very close,’ added Carrick. ‘Even though we came together specifically for the role here, we’re all very clear in terms of what it looks like.
‘It’s not something we need to overly discuss, to be honest. I think we’re all on the same page. It’s pretty obvious, you know. The coaches are fine with that.
‘I have to say the staff have been absolutely top-class. To be around the coaching desk day in, day out when it’s new and fresh takes a lot of effort.’
Carrick will have Harry Maguire available again after suspension and, potentially, Leny Yoro after injury having been forced to play a makeshift centre-back pairing of Noussair Mazraoui and Ayden Heaven in the 1-0 win at Chelsea.
Lisandro Martinez is still banned, however, after his appeal against a red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair in the defeat to Leeds was rejected by the FA.
United’s anger over what Carrick described at the time as ‘a shocking decision’ was not helped by the same referee, Paul Tierney, taking no action against Brentford’s Dango Ouattara for tugging the hair of Fulham defender Calvin Bassey five days later.
‘There have been some instances that has made it more difficult to understand how Licha has been suspended and continues to be out,’ said Carrick.
‘When you see all the other things in and around it for the offence that was allegedly committed, and the punishment that’s come with that, I don’t think it fits it at all.’
United’s other senior central defender, Matthijs De Ligt, is back training on the grass for the first time since suffering a back injury at the end of November, and Carrick still believes the Dutchman may play before the end of the season.
‘I’m certainly hoping there is a chance that he can, without putting any deadlines on it,’ he said. ‘Hopefully it’s the case, but there’s certainly no pressure to get him back.’
