Put an asterisk next to Michael Carrick’s time at Man United – they’ve been unconvincing

Jason Cundy believes Michael Carrick’s lack of experience managing in European competition disqualifies him from the permanent manager role.

The Red Devils’ 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford saw them complete a Premier League double over their bitter rivals for the first time since 2015/16.

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Goals from Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo were enough to seal a home win for United.

The boyhood United fan secured the winner to clinch Champions League qualification for next season, with three games left to play.

Had it not been for Carrick, it’s unlikely the 21-year-old would even have remained at the club.

The former United player has made a significant impact since stepping into the dugout, taking his old club from sixth to third, and he is now viewed as the frontrunner to become the long-term head coach.

Additionally, Carrick has taken more points than any other manager in the Premier League since replacing Ruben Amorim in January.

He has also won every game he has played against the ‘Big Six’, including title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.

The European caveat

However, on The Sports Bar on Monday night, Cundy and Jamie O’Hara debated whether the 44-year-old is truly the right choice, given that he has only managed fixtures once a week, in comparison to competitors who have been battling in Europe.

O’Hara complimented the former midfielder and said: “Man United are not great, but it’s something they can build on with Carrick.

“He’s done a really good job from where they were before he took over to where they are now.”

Cundy countered: “You saw them beating a side that’s been battling on many different fronts, including Europe.

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“They are only going to play 40 games this year. You can’t ignore that and you can’t pretend that that it doesn’t exist in the conversation.

“It’s not Carrick’s fault. I’m just saying that there is a caveat to it. Carrick’s been good. I’m not taking that away from him.”

O’Hara added: “I think he’s been excellent.”

Cundy quickly cut him off: “No, Man United have not been excellent. The results have been, the performances aren’t.

“Man United are unconvincing, yet they are getting the job done.”

Managerial gap

Despite sitting third in the league table, the Red Devils have conceded the ninth-most goals this season.

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Additionally, while Carrick has experience in the Championship and half a season in the Premier League, he has never experienced European football and the squad depth it relies upon.

While United have beaten the supposed ‘top teams’ in the league, they have also lost to the teams sitting below them including Leeds and Newcastle, and drawn with West Ham United and Bournemouth.

The north west outfit will only play 40 games in all competitions this season, while their rivals, Liverpool, will eventually participate in 57 fixtures.

Inside Devils verdict

Despite Cundy’s reservations, talkSPORT’s Inside Devils YouTube panel argued that it is a no-brainer move.

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent, and huge United fan, Alex Crook argued that there’s no one better suited.

“You look at the other options available, would you swap Carrick for Andoni Iraola, as good a coach as Iraola is? I think the answer’s no. Would you swap him for Oliver Glasner? Definitely not, in my opinion.

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“Marco Silva, the same. Do you wait for Carlo Ancelotti? I think people forget, it didn’t end particularly well for him at Everton when he was last in the Premier League. 

“I know [Julian] Nagelsmann has made noises to suggest that he might be interested after the World Cup, but I think we’ve just got to get this appointment buttoned down.

“You look at what Carrick has done for Kobbie Mainoo, you look at what he’s done for Benjamin Sesko, who looks a real force now at the top end of the pitch. 

“You look at what he brings, that calmness, that authority. From what I’m told, and we all saw it, a lot of the players found his predecessor too emotional, almost childlike at times. You don’t get that from Carrick.

“He knows what it takes to wear that badge. He wears the jacket with distinction. I think he’s a no-brainer now. How can you not give him the job?

“He’s beaten Chelsea, he’s beaten Arsenal, he’s beaten Manchester City, he’s beaten Villa, and now he’s beaten Liverpool. 

“What more realistically could he have done? If the season had started when he came through the door, United would be top of the table.”