When Roy Keane suggested in January that Michael Carrick should not be given the Manchester United job permanently even if he won every game until the end of the season, it sounded like a hypothetical scenario unlikely to materialise.
Now it is becoming a serious conversation.
Carrick, who once inherited Keane’s iconic number 16 shirt at Old Trafford, is delivering results that make that bold claim increasingly difficult to ignore.
A Record Equalling Start
Six wins and a draw from seven matches this season have transformed the atmosphere around Old Trafford.
When added to his earlier caretaker spell following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021, Carrick has recorded seven victories and two draws from his first nine Premier League games as a manager.
That return equals the best start in the competition’s history, matching the benchmark set by Ange Postecoglou during his early tenure at Tottenham.
It is impressive company, but it also comes with perspective.
Lessons From The Past
Manchester United have experienced the excitement of a strong interim bounce before.
Solskjaer won 14 of his first 19 matches before being appointed permanently, only for performances to become inconsistent over time.
Postecoglou’s bright opening at Tottenham was similarly followed by a downturn.
United’s decision makers will therefore be careful not to allow short term momentum to cloud long term planning.
The Palace Test
The recent comeback victory over Crystal Palace may prove to be one of the defining moments of Carrick’s tenure.
For the first time under his leadership, United trailed at half time.
Previous setbacks had been corrected before the interval, but this was a test of resilience and tactical adjustment.
The response was decisive.
Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty with composure before Benjamin Sesko powered home a header to complete the turnaround.
It was Sesko’s seventh goal in eight matches since Ruben Amorim’s departure in January, underlining the renewed attacking confidence within the squad.
The win lifted United to third in the Premier League table, their highest position at this stage since the final day of the 2022 to 2023 season under Erik ten Hag.
A Champions League place is now firmly within reach.
Controversy And Control
The turning point arrived when Maxence Lacroix was dismissed for a foul on Matheus Cunha.
Although the initial contact began outside the penalty area, it continued inside, prompting referee Chris Kavanagh to award a penalty following a review.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed frustration at the decision, while former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann supported the interpretation of the laws regarding denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Debate aside, United maintained their composure and capitalised.
A Growing Connection
The reaction inside Old Trafford offered further insight into Carrick’s impact.
As he completed a lap of appreciation with his players, sustained chants echoed around the stadium.
Supporters appear increasingly convinced that stability under a familiar and composed figure could serve the club well.
Carrick has consistently emphasised collective responsibility rather than individual credit, a tone that has resonated in a dressing room operating under intense scrutiny.
The Decision Ahead
The broader managerial landscape may also influence United’s thinking.
Thomas Tuchel has extended his commitment to England, while Carlo Ancelotti is set to continue with Brazil.
Other candidates such as Glasner and Roberto De Zerbi remain respected options, each offering distinct philosophies and achievements.
Yet replacing a manager who is producing results, reconnecting supporters with the team and navigating pressure calmly would carry its own risk.
What once seemed hypothetical is now a genuine dilemma.
If Carrick maintains this trajectory and secures Champions League qualification, Manchester United may find that the greater gamble lies not in appointing him permanently, but in choosing to look elsewhere.
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