"He probably": Nicky Butt makes fresh Michael Carrick claim after Newcastle defeat

Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has fancied Michael Carrick to secure the permanent managerial role with the Red Devils this summer.

The 44-year-old accepted the interim head coach position with United in January, and he has since transformed the club’s Premier League fortunes.

United have picked up 19 points from their previous eight matches and are currently third in the standings, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference.

In an interview with Paddy Power, Butt has now said that Carrick will probably get the permanent job as he has done ‘so well’ during his interim role.

He added that there are no ‘massive managers’ that could be recruited in the summer, which should boost Carrick’s prospects of securing the position.

He said: “The problem you’ve got with Michael doing so well is that he probably will get the job. The bigger question is: is he the right guy? No one will know until he takes over, because that club’s tried everything since Sir Alex.

“They’ve had the big names in Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, they’ve had the foreign superstar up-and-coming coaches in Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag. They’ve had David Moyes, one of the best Premier League managers [at the time], the longest-serving one.

“They’ve had interim managers, Ole Gunnar [Solskjaer]. They’ve tried everything, so there’s no right answer. With Michael’s position and how he’s done so well, added to the lack of managers that are out there that you can go and get—I think that’ll be the final little golden egg for Michael getting the job.

“He’s done really, really well although he doesn’t have much experience at the top level, but there’s no massive managers out there coming for the job – no Mourinhos or Van Gaals.

“Thomas Tuchel might have been the one, but he’s signed a big England contract. How well he’s done and in the relaxed way he’s done it, plus no one else being out there, means he’ll probably get the job.”

Carrick has had a fantastic second spell as United’s interim boss. The club were recently on a seven-match unbeaten run before a late defeat to 10-man Newcastle on the road.

The 44-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong since his appointment, but his decision to bring in Tyrell Malacia for the injured Noussair Mazraoui proved a big mistake.

Regardless, United are still in a good position in the Champions League pursuit. A top-five finish is enough, and they are three points ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool, who are fifth and sixth.

If the Red Devils were to qualify for the premier European competition, Carrick should be a strong favourite for the job, particularly with no standout and marquee solutions available.

Thomas Tuchel has committed to England until the summer of 2028, while Carlo Ancelotti is likewise expected to prolong his stay with Brazil. He is eyeing another four years with the Selecao.

Xabi Alonso is a possible candidate United could consider, but we clearly feel Carrick will get the permanent job so long as the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League next term.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .