Manchester United can secure Champions League qualification by winning two matches! Carrick is still not Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ideal manager, but may have to be appointed permanently.

Regardless of Carrick's performance, Manchester United has consistently emphasized that the club is conducting a comprehensive and thorough manager selection process to determine the permanent head coach for next season, with no final decision before the season ends.

Current manager Carrick can only strive to achieve the goal of returning to Champions League qualification and hope this will place his name among the top candidates. So far, he has nearly done his best. Manchester United defeated a direct top-four rival in last week's Premier League match, while other competitors also dropped points.

Now, Manchester United not only leads fourth-placed Aston Villa by three points, but also leads sixth-placed Chelsea by six points. If they win the two crucial matches—away at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge in May and home against Liverpool—Champions League qualification is almost certain. Even avoiding defeat in both matches would likely suffice, especially if the Premier League maintains its top-two coefficient ranking in UEFA.

Is this enough for Carrick? "He 100% deserves the job!" Wayne Rooney told BBC after the final whistle, "I expected this because Carrick is there. Rather than risking a change for a coach like De Zerbi, in my view, keeping Carrick is better."

Rooney's support and trust in Carrick is unsurprising—they are close friends and vacationed together in Barbados this January. But after securing seven wins in nine matches, even teammates initially skeptical of Carrick are likely beginning to acknowledge his candidacy.

Of course, there are exceptions, Roy Keane being one—he never played alongside Carrick and has had conflicts with Carrick's wife Lisa.

"I've considered Carrick's permanent appointment, but I think there are better options," Keane explained. "His record since taking over is excellent, winning matches and simplifying tactics. But his schedule has been favorable, sometimes with three weeks to prepare. It's a good environment for him, and I admire him greatly. So, if he becomes permanent manager in summer, I'd say good luck. But if choices exist, I believe United should seek better options. United will surely secure Champions League qualification now; when deciding the next manager, they must interview more candidates to see who fits."

Keane stated he believes Carrick needs more experience. "Most players like an interim manager. But when appointed permanently, decisions on contracts, preseason, medical staff, transfers, and recruitment differ, and expectations rise. I think managing United requires someone with more experience in winning titles and European competitions, which he currently lacks. Perhaps in a few years he'll gain that experience and become an ideal candidate. Of course, currently he's winning matches for United, which gives him a strong chance."

It's worth noting that Sir Jim Ratcliffe's management team shares Keane's view. United correspondent Mark Ogden revealed that United's ideal new manager should have won Premier League and Champions League titles, or both, and they clearly prefer a coach with outstanding tactical ability.

However, such managers are rare—only Ancelotti, Guardiola, Klopp, Mourinho, etc.—and none are likely to become United's manager. The Daily Mail reports Carrick's results are making Sir Jim's summer decision more difficult, possibly forcing the 73-year-old former richest Briton to appoint Carrick permanently.