The decisive day is approaching for Manchester United. Will they risk appointing Michael Carrick as the official head coach, or will they continue to wait for a big name after the World Cup in July?
The reason to keep Carrick is very convincing. Giving him confidence can bring long-term stability to the club. Since he took over, Man United has won 23/30 maximum points, rising from seventh to top three and opening up opportunities to participate in the Champions League next season.
Carrick may be humble, but he knows how to express it through the most convincing language in football, which is on-field results. Having won the Premier League 5 times in Man United's colors, he is applying a pragmatic philosophy, using players in his forte to bring the team back to the European arena - a key factor in finance and reputation.
Not participating in European cups this season helps the "Red Devils" play better, as players have more time to rest and improve tactics.
Carrick is not a noisy coach, but he is tough enough when needed. After the defeat against Newcastle United, the English captain had strong reactions in the dressing room, showing his ability to control internally.
The coaching staff with experienced names like Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate and Steve Holland creates a solid foundation of discipline and expertise.
Man United's playing style under Carrick brings a more solid feeling. They know how to score points in matches that they dropped last season, typically the victory against Everton with an effective counter-attacking style and a resilient defense.
Carrick's short reign has so far aroused faith in fans after many years of disappointment. Improving performance is associated with important adjustments, especially the appearance of the attacking trio including Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
Notably, pushing Bruno Fernandes higher has maximized his creativity. The Portuguese midfielder has just broken David Beckham's Premier League season assist record at Man United with 16 assists.
In defense, Harry Maguire's revived form is also a bright spot. Returning to the 4-defender formation helps him regain stability and confidence.
However, the Old Trafford team still has a lot of work to do if they want to compete with opponents like Arsenal and Manchester City. The team needs to increase the depth of the squad, especially in midfield to replace Casemiro.
Potential targets include Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and even Jude Bellingham. In addition, adding world-class defenders and quality wingers is also an urgent requirement.
The final decision may be in the hands of Jim Ratcliffe - who is running the club's football division. Whether he is willing to give Carrick the right to build the squad is still a big question mark.
Carrick's disadvantage lies in his lack of seasoned coaching experience. Initial success at Middlesbrough did not last long, as he could not help the team get promoted and was sacked in 2025.
The doubts are well-founded, as Man United has failed with famous coaches such as Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
However, if Carrick can bring the Champions League back to Old Trafford, it is difficult to find a more suitable candidate for this position.
