In the 34th round of the Premier League on 27/4, Manchester United beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford, cementing their third-place position with 61 points. With four rounds remaining in the season, the Red Devils are 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton, a position outside the Champions League qualification zone. The Manchester club could secure qualification early with a favorable result against Liverpool on 3/5.

Since taking charge at Old Trafford in january, Carrick has guided Manchester United to 9 wins in 13 matches. This achievement impressed Carragher. "He will be Manchester United's coach next season, no doubt about it. These are excellent results, reflecting the form of a championship-contending team," the former English defender commented on Sky Sports.

According to Carragher, even though Manchester United has not faced significant pressure from European competitions, Carrick's performance is still commendable. The 48-year-old former player praised Carrick's tactical adaptability, a contrast to the criticisms previously aimed at his predecessor, Ruben Amorim.

Coach Michael Carrick (left) applauds fans after Manchester United beat Brentford 2-1 in the 34th round of the Premier League at Old Trafford, Manchester, England on 27/4/2026. Photo: Reuters

Sharing a similar view, former defender Gary Neville suggested that Carrick is maximizing the squad's potential. On his personal podcast, Neville highlighted Manchester United's achievement of 29 points from 13 matches, particularly their impressive performances in victories against Man City and Arsenal. The former English defender noted that Manchester United did not maintain the same peak form in subsequent matches, but they still found ways to win games when playing below their best – a crucial factor for teams competing for top honors.

Neville commended Carrick's flexibility in tactical adjustments, especially in the second half of the Brentford match. He believes the English coach demonstrated the ability to control the game and preserve advantages when necessary, even though changing the system carries risks if the opponent scores an equalizer.

From a player's perspective, Harry Maguire stated that the team's confidence has noticeably increased under Carrick. The English center-back recalled the two important victories against Arsenal and Man City in the initial phase, which helped the team build positive psychological momentum.

Maguire also emphasized improvements at both ends of the pitch: "We defend better and finish more effectively. Previously, many balanced matches ended in defeat. Now, things have reversed." However, the English defender believes Manchester United can still improve, particularly in organizing the defense and moving as a cohesive unit.

Main events from Manchester United 2-1 Brentford match.

According to a simulation by the Opta supercomputer, the race for a spot in the 2025-2026 Champions League is almost decided, with Man City and Arsenal having already secured their places. Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa are assessed to have over 97% chance of holding the three remaining spots, creating a safe distance from the chasing pack.

However, if Aston Villa finishes fifth and also wins the 2025-2026 Europa League, where they are currently in the semifinals, a Champions League spot could extend to the sixth-placed team in the Premier League. In that scenario, the competition for the final spot would become more intense among several mid-table teams: Chelsea, Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, and Fulham.

By Hong Duy (via Sky Sports)