Manchester United should give Michael Carrick the head coach’s job on a permanent basis as soon as the club qualify for the Champions League, says former Old Trafford favourite Gary Pallister.
United are almost guaranteed a top-five finish after beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, which was Carrick’s No1 target when he took over from Ruben Amorim in January.
Pallister believes it would be a mistake not to keep Carrick in charge after so many failed managerial appointments since Sir Alex Ferguson retired 13 years ago.
The former United and England defender also claims that it would create uncertainty among the players – and risk making Carrick feel he is part of a back-up plan – if United continue to consider other options and delay a decision until after the season has ended.
‘When he took over from Amorim, if you said he would get you Champions League football, the owners and staff would have snapped your hand off and been glad to give Michael the job,’ says Pallister.
‘Listen, you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen. They’ve made some mistakes in the past. I think they’ve held their hand up and said that. I think it probably would be a mistake now if you weren’t to give it to Michael and he actually qualifies for the Champions League.
Gary Pallister has called for Michael Carrick (centre) to be given the Manchester United head coach’s role permanently
‘He understands. I think that’s what Manchester United fans have been crying out for. We’ve had a number of managers who haven’t grasped what Manchester United’s all about.
‘You never know what they’ve got going on behind the scenes, but I certainly would have thought Michael has earned the job if he qualifies. I think I would make that known, unless they’ve got something (else).
‘It seems to be a wait and see if he qualifies for the Champions League. That looks done and dusted to me now. I don’t think they’re going to lose that qualifying spot. So I, for one, would like to see Michael get the job and hopefully take the club forward.
‘I don’t think it’s a good thing to leave it even longer. Everybody sits down together at the end of the season and makes a plan.
‘I’d hate to think it was going to go on a few weeks after the season where Michael could start feeling like they’re looking at other avenues and then he might be given the job if things don’t work out. I’d like a bit of clarity for him to say that one way or the other.’
Speaking to BetBrain, Pallister adds: ‘It also gives clarity to the players as well to know what’s going to happen next season. If the players also knew that Michael was going to be in charge next year, things would be a lot more settled.
‘I think when you’re an interim manager, your players can look at you and say, “well, are you going to be here next year? I’ve heard rumours that you might not be”.
‘If he’s not going to be the boss next year, you lose something in that dressing room. So the sooner they can do it, the better. Let everybody know where they stand, then you can start planning for next year.
Pallister argued that United need to act quickly when the season comes to an end and not leave Carrick in the dark
‘I think the players are enjoying it under him. The results have certainly improved under him. In terms of bringing a style of football that Manchester United fans could understand, I think Michael will do that with this Manchester United side going forward.
‘The players seem happier. They’ve dug some great results out, probably without playing fantastic football. They’ve shown a resilience, no more so than (at Chelsea) on Saturday night when they only had one fit centre half, a young 19-year-old (Ayden Heaven) playing alongside a novice of a centre half in (Noussair) Mazraoui to keep a clean sheet. That spoke volumes for the performance those two lads put in, and the defence and the team in general.’
Those with reservations over keeping Carrick in charge point to the fact he suffered a second-season dip in his first managerial job at Middlesbrough. There are also concerns that history is repeating itself at United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got the job after impressing as an interim.
Pallister, who played for Boro before joining United in a £2.3million move in 1989, is backing Carrick on both counts.
‘He’s not a novice, Michael,’ says the 60-year-old. ‘I was fortunate enough to see some of the games here at Middlesbrough, albeit in the Championship and playing some of the best football I’ve ever seen a Middlesbrough team play.
‘His team played some wonderful football; real attacking threat, loved to entertain. I don’t think Manchester United are playing like that at the moment. As I say, I think they’ve been resilient. But I think given the opportunity, he can turn this team into something like that.
‘He’s been in there before. He’s played for the club and understands the club. He’s had that experience with Middlesbrough, two seasons there although the second season didn’t go so great because the team he had in the first year was ripped apart, really.
‘I get it that people are going to say it smacks of the Ole Gunnar thing, but I think Ole did a great job in the period of time he was there.’
He also suggested the club need to do everything they can to keep Bruno Fernandes at the club
Regardless of whether Carrick gets the job on a permanent basis, Pallister believes it’s imperative that United keep captain Bruno Fernandes this summer, and sign a new central midfielder and centre forward, if they are to progress from Champions League qualifiers to Premier League title contenders.
‘Keeping Bruno, that’s an absolute must,’ says Pallister. ‘I think it was terrific what he did last year in turning down the overtures from Saudi and the money that was available. He’s really cemented a place in the heart of Manchester United fans for his attitude, his ability and his willingness to win trophies.
‘It’s important to keep him because I think he’s one of the best in the Premier League if not world football, to be quite honest with you. If he was playing in a Man City team or a Real Madrid team, you would wax lyrical so much more about Bruno Fernandes because I think he’s an incredible player.
‘Casemiro’s leaving so I think we need somebody to play alongside Kobbie (Mainoo). I think he’s really enjoying being back in the side, and he was terrific against Chelsea on Saturday night.
‘Personally, I would like to see Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. I think he ticks a lot of boxes. I think he’s got a tough side to him, a mental toughness to him, terrific ability, creative ability as well. I think he would perfectly fit the Manchester United side.
‘I also think another centre-forward. (Benjamin) Sesko has been a little bit hit and miss. I would say he’s still a young kid, still learning. He’s got better in a period of time, but I don’t think he’s the finished article. For Manchester United to go and win the Premier League, they need a top-class centre-forward.’
Gary Pallister was speaking on behalf of BetBrain. Visit https://www.betbrain.com/
