Manchester United’s dramatic comeback against Roma seems to have given Michael Carrick more playing time, at least for now.
The “Red Devils” came back from a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2 at Old Trafford, ending the club’s longest winless streak in 40 years. The result immediately shifted the mood surrounding the team, though it did not dispel doubts about the manager’s future.
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According to the report, the main issue for management is not only whether Carrick is the right choice moving forward, but also the fact that there is currently no clear agreement on who could replace him.
The list of candidates includes several prominent names, but there are reservations about each one.
Eddie Howe does not seem to command the level of acceptance he might be expected to have outside the club, while Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hennes is highly regarded, but a potential move to Old Trafford would be a major step in his career.
Fabian Hirzler has also made a positive impression, however, at United there are questions about whether he could be just as effective without the structure he has at Brighton, as well as about the cost of his transfer.
As for Cesc Fàbregas, the general consensus is that he is not likely to leave at this time, while Julian Nagelsmann has supporters within the club, though there are also concerns regarding his time at Bayern and his relationship with the locker room back then.
Antonio Conte’s name is also being discussed; he is perhaps the most experienced top-tier option, but he comes with the well-known demands and tension that characterize his working relationships.
Given these circumstances, every choice carries a risk, and United’s inability to settle on a clear alternative seems to work in Carrick’s favor.
The victory over Roma, however, does not mean that the problems have been solved. Within the club, there is a sense that everything could change again very quickly, depending on the outcome of the upcoming match against Aston Villa.
In fact, there is a recent precedent that serves as a warning. In 2021, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United had come back from a 0-2 deficit to defeat Atalanta 3-2 in the Champions League, but that great European night turned out to be nothing more than a temporary reprieve.
The front office is also taking into account the team’s on-field performance, which is reportedly better than the results suggest. There is a view that several factors have worked against the team, while it is also believed that Carrick did not receive the support he should have during the summer transfer window.
The big question, however, remains the same: Does Manchester United truly believe in Carrick, or is it simply delaying a decision because it hasn’t found his successor?
*photo source: AP
