Carrick has also made a compelling case for getting the manager’s job on a full-time basis, especially as a couple of the more experienced, successful and Premier League-ready alternatives Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti have committed themselves to their international jobs at England and Brazil beyond the summer.
Roberto de Zerbi has been sacked by Marseille, while Oliver Glasner might well suffer the same fate at Crystal Palace before he leaves when his contract expires in the summer. Their credentials wouldn’t look quite so attractive against Carrick’s if he did get United back into Europe’s elite club competition.
They would also be a more attractive proposition commercially.
At a time when questions are starting to be asked about the club’s ability to do deals and the lack of a training ground or kit sponsor, that is quite important.
In addition, although it is some way in the future, if United’s new stadium plans eventually proceed, funding will be based around a significant percentage of expensive ‘premium’ seats.
While club officials have stressed no decisions around ticket prices have been taken, a document sent to season ticket holders in October placed indicative prices at £4,830 for season tickets on the lower tier of the stand opposite the dugouts, with hospitality prices rising to £424,800 for a 16-seat large private box in the middle tier of the main stand, level with the halfway line.
Clearly, supporters are more likely to be willing to pay such figures if they were watching a team competing for major trophies, something that has not happened since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
The club’s huge debt, way in excess of £1bn including outstanding transfer fee payments, might at least not need to be increased too.
Over the past six weeks, Carrick has repeatedly stressed he is not getting carried away by his side’s impressive form. After the Everton win, a question was put to him about the triumph providing belief around Champions League qualification on a weekend when Villa and Chelsea both drew at home and Liverpool needed an injury-time winner at Nottingham Forest.
Carrick’s answer bore no relation to the core point he was being asked. There is logic behind this. Results can change narratives very quickly in football.
When he took over at Middlesbrough in 2022, Carrick won 15 of his first 20 league games, then only three of the next 12. A potential automatic promotion place turned into a play-off meeting with Coventry, which Middlesbrough lost. They never got as close to promotion again under the former England midfielder.
He knows his team are well-placed to seal their Champions League return. Completing the job is the task now.
