Manchester United once again faces the difficult challenge of appointing a head coach. Since the legendary Alex Ferguson retired, six official managers have taken the hot seat, but none have endured the immense pressure at Old Trafford for long.

This summer, the seventh name will be chosen, and Carrick is emerging as a leading candidate. With a record of seven wins in 10 matches since his interim appointment in January, the English coach has helped Manchester United climb to the top tier of the Premier League, moving closer to a Champions League qualification spot.

One of Carrick's advantages is possessing "Man Utd DNA", meaning an internal identity similar to former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This helps him withstand the pressure and demanding environment at Old Trafford better than previous coaches like Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Erik ten Hag, or Ruben Amorim. These managers were highly regarded for their personalities and winning mentalities but could not meet long-term expectations.

Coach Michael Carrick celebrates after Manchester United's 3-2 victory over Arsenal in Premier League round 23 at Emirates Stadium, London, England, on 25/1. *Photo: PA Wire*

"There are things related to the job at Manchester United that I have been accustomed to for a very long time", Carrick shared with Sky Sports. "Pressure is something I have lived with for an extended period. The expectations here, the operational methods to achieve goals, the support, and the scrutiny all become normal after a while. For me personally, it is not as overwhelming as outsiders perceive it to be".

In his playing career, Carrick spent 12 years with Manchester United, playing 464 matches and winning five Premier League titles along with one Champions League. After Solskjaer's dismissal in late 2021, Carrick briefly managed Manchester United for three matches as interim coach, securing two wins and one draw. He was also a member of the coaching staff under Mourinho, immediately after retiring in 2018.

As a permanent coach, Carrick gained experience at Middlesbrough. He was appointed in October 2022, helping the team climb from 21st position to 4th in the Championship before being eliminated in the promotion play-off semi-finals. After the team finished 10th in the 2024-2025 season, the English coach was sacked.

Coach Michael Carrick (left) shakes hands with Casemiro after Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom, in Premier League round 30 on 15/3. *Photo: AP*

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United's board is not rushing a final decision, and the identity of the new head coach will only be announced after the current season concludes. Currently, Carrick is the only candidate who has worked directly with the board.

In terms of squad building, the 44-year-old coach has also been involved in transfer plans. These include central defender Harry Maguire's one-year contract extension, while Casemiro has confirmed his departure at the end of the season.

When asked about his own future, Carrick maintained a cautious stance: "I understand the current situation and the club's plans. I am not here just to wait until the end of the season to see what happens. If I am part of the plan, I will continue. If not, that is the reality of the job".

Manchester United is setting a long-term goal of reclaiming the Premier League title by 2028, which means there are two summer transfer windows to build a squad capable of competing for the trophy. Since their last league title in 2013 under Ferguson, the "Red Devils" have not been able to return to their peak. Their best performance was finishing as runner-up in the 2020-2021 season under Solskjaer.

If appointed, Carrick would have the opportunity to become the first English coach to win the Premier League. "I very much hope that happens", he said. "You would think that it would happen at some point. But for some reason, it has not yet. Timing is very important. Manchester United was very successful with Ferguson, even though he was not English. If I can do that, it would be amazing".

Hong Duy (according to Sky Sports)