Michael Carrick’s role as Manchester United interim head coach could be the all-important catalyst for Ineos and Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe over one future event.
Manchester United rolled out a different succession plan after former Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim was finally sacked by the Premier League club last week.
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Ruben Amorim’s exit from Man Utd saw former midfielder Darren Fletcher immediately take over at the Premier League side at Old Trafford in the short term.
Darren Fletcher’s caretaker Man Utd spell included a 2-2 Premier League draw against Burnley at Turf Moor and a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.
The 41-year-old Manchester United Under-18s head coach held the fort until former Red Devils teammate Michael Carrick made his sensational return on Tuesday.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesPaul Merson conjures Man Utd theory around Michael Carrick’s appointment after Ruben Amorim’s sacking
Michael Carrick’s place at Manchester United is only expected to last until the end of the season amid Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s setback with Ruben Amorim.
Ineos and Ratcliffe had handpicked former United manager Amorim to be their long-term manager after Erik ten Hag was axed in the 2024-25 Premier League season.
But Paul Merson has conjured a theory to explain how Carrick’s appointment was done because of the unavailability of managers like England boss Thomas Tuchel.
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“The appointment of Michael Carrick as interim head coach buys Manchester United time,” he wrote in his Sportskeeda column.
“And they must now ensure they get it right whenever they decide on a permanent manager. The answer might even be Carrick, who knows?
“This decision is better than rushing it because people like Thomas Tuchel could come into the equation later.
“Manchester United must have sensed it too. Otherwise, they would have appointed someone permanent already.”
England head coach Thomas Tuchel could be the key to Man Utd’s current problem in the post-Ruben Amorim era
Man Utd were linked with Thomas Tuchel in the past and even Ineos were keen to bring him to Old Trafford as a replacement for Erik ten Hag back in 2024.
However, Paul Merson is right to point out that the current England head coach is now ‘locked in’ ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer.
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Carlo Ancelotti is another name that has been floated around Man Utd, but the 66-year-old Brazil manager is in a similar position to Tuchel over his future.
Tuchel, who succeeded Sir Gareth Southgate as England head coach, is out of contract with the Three Lions after the World Cup tournament as well.
Carrick’s appointment as United interim manager would make perfect sense if the Red Devils are ready to experience short-term pain for long-term advantages.
Amorim’s exit put Ineos and Co on the back foot for the Red Devils’ vision, but Carrick’s role could ensure Ratcliffe doesn’t mess up with his next permanent managerial appointment again.
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