Bryan Robson would love to see Michael Carrick get the Manchester United job permanently (Image: Getty)
Gary Neville‘s thoughts are perfectly clear. Despite Michael Carrick‘s extraordinary work as Manchester United‘s interim manager, the Red Devils should still chase the best in class.
He wants a Thomas Tuchel or a Diego Simeone in the dugout. But not everyone of a Man United persuasion agrees with Neville. Fellow club legend Bryan Robson, also known as Captain Marvel and one of the best English footballers ever, certainly doesn’t.
Robson made 461 appearances for United, scored 99 goals and won eight trophies at Old Trafford. He’s been a manager himself, enjoying a successful stint at Middlesbrough before less fruitful spells at Bradford City, West Brom, Sheffield United and the Thailand national team. And Robson would love to see Carrick given the opportunity to take the job full-time.
Carrick managed 23 points in his first nine Premier League games as Man United manager (seven wins and two draws), across two spells. It was the joint-best start of any manager after nine games in the league’s history.
Ange Postecoglou also managed 23 in his first nine at Tottenham at a time when some thought Spurs could be title challengers.
United lost 2-1 to 10-man Newcastle in Carrick’s 10th game on Wednesday as he suffered his first defeat, but it has still been a very strong start overall. The club are in a very strong position to return to the Champions League next season.
Carrick’s eight games this season have yielded 19 points from an available 24 at an average of 2.3 points per game. Leaders Arsenal are averaging 2.23 points per game this season, by comparison.
And such a strong start should see the Englishman get a go at the gig next season too, reckons Robson, who also earned 90 caps for England.
“I disagree with the boys because United have tried the big foreign coaches since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and you’ve got to say they haven’t delivered for what Manchester United should expect,” Robson exclusively told Express Sport thanks to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds.
“You could maybe say that Jose Mourinho was quite successful because he won three trophies when he was at the club, but even so, why not go with an English or British manager this time?
“Gareth Southgate has shown that British managers can do it. He did great for England. His record was second only to Sir Alf Ramsey with the national team.
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Michael Carrick is enjoying an impressive spell as interim Manchester United manager (Image: Getty)
“It’s not very often that we see a British manager get one of the top jobs. Michael’s one of the first ones to get a chance at Manchester United, so why not give him the job?
“The club at this moment in time will be looking out at who may fancy it in the summer, but they’ve got to keep Michael and give him that chance.
“Have a look at what’s out there, of course, at who you can maybe get if the wheels come off for Michael, but that’s certainly not the case at the moment.”
Even if Carrick does get the job long-term, though, Robson thinks Marcus Rashford’s time at the club is up. The 28-year-old United academy graduate is thriving on loan at Barcelona with 10 goals and 13 assists in 35 appearances.
Rashford has made more than 400 appearances for United, contributing to over 200 goals, but Robson believes it’s best for all if the winger remains in Spain for the foreseeable future.
Ex-United skipper Robson added: “For me, if Barcelona want to keep him, and I think there’s a clause in there where they can, I think he stays there to perform as he can and get back into the England squad because it’s an individual thing.
“The manager puts the players together, but for your form and fitness, it’s the individual who has to deliver.”