Is Carrick ultimately Manchester United's long-term solution?

When Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick as interim manager on January 13th, the decision was initially seen as a stopgap measure.

However, football often operates on the momentum of results. Six matches, 16 points, and victories over major rivals have transformed the initial question: Is Carrick the long-term answer for Manchester United?

Everything is currently in Carrick's favor

If we take January 13th as the starting point and create a separate league table, Manchester United would be top with 16 points from 6 matches. Notably, they have defeated both Arsenal and Manchester City during this period.

The most significant difference between Carrick and his predecessor, Ruben Amorim, lies in their approach. Amorim pursued a three-center-back system and made highly individualistic statements, but his tenure at Old Trafford left a sense of wasted potential, with United even dropping to 15th place at one point. Carrick, in contrast, has opted for a familiar four-man defense, stabilized a core starting eleven from the outset, and only made adjustments when forced by injuries. This clarity in tactical structure helps players understand their roles precisely, something that was often lacking under Amorim.

Without grand declarations or radical philosophical shifts, Carrick has simply returned the team to fundamental principles: balance, discipline, and maximizing the available resources. He has also better utilized new signings. Benjamin Sesko, despite often coming off the bench, has made a clear impact, making the board feel their transfer policy is being validated.

Most importantly is the atmosphere. After a period mired in a sense of perpetual crisis, Manchester United now resembles a collective with spirit and direction. When players, including those not regularly starting, publicly express their support, it signals internal belief—a crucial foundation for any long-term project. According to Opta's predictions, United's chance of finishing the season in the Top 5 has risen to 72%. If they secure Champions League qualification, Carrick would have an achievement compelling enough to convince even the most skeptical.
Carrick is proving very successful in his role as Manchester United's interim manager

The capacity to build a project

However, Old Trafford's history has shown that short-term success does not equate to sustainability.

Carrick currently relies mainly on a core group of around 13 starting-caliber players. Next season, if United are competing in Europe with a congested fixture list, he will need more effective rotation, better physical management, and must demonstrate tactical adaptability across various contexts. The potential departure of key figures like Casemiro or even Harry Maguire also presents squad rebuilding challenges.

Furthermore, a long-term role demands more than just composure. Carrick is benefiting from the element of surprise and the psychological relief following a managerial change. But when expectations rise, and every match is scrutinized through the lens of a title contender, the pressure will be entirely different.

He would need not only to maintain current form but also to build a consistent identity over multiple seasons, participate in transfer strategy, and develop young players.

Market factors also influence the board's decision. As potential external candidates become fewer, retaining the person currently delivering positive results becomes more appealing. Carrick is an "insider," understands the club's culture, and has a natural connection with the dressing room. But the core question remains: Does he possess the stature to lead a prolonged cycle of success?

The answer likely lies in the remainder of the season. If United not only win big matches but also maintain consistency against supposedly weaker opponents, Carrick will prove he is more than just a temporary fix. Conversely, if performance dips as pressure mounts, the argument for him loses weight.

At this moment, Carrick provides Manchester United with what they have long lacked: calmness, pragmatism, and effectiveness. That is a vital foundation.

But to become the long-term solution, he must transform that foundation into a sustainable structure with a clear strategy, flexible adaptability, and results maintained over time.