"Nothing to lose": Mikael Silvestre fancies 44yo to become permanent Man Utd manager

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes Michael Carrick will be considered for the permanent managerial role if the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League next season.

Carrick took charge as the caretaker head coach last month. He has immediately transformed the club’s fortunes with four wins and one draw from the last five Premier League matches.

This has included statement victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, and the Red Devils are currently placed fourth in the standings with 45 points, one ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea.

Fifth place could also be enough to qualify for the Champions League next season. United are presently three points ahead of Liverpool in sixth, with a better goal difference too.

With just one game per week, the Mancunian giants are in a strong position to qualify for the elite European competition, which should only boost Carrick’s managerial credentials.

Speaking to Sky Bet, Silvestre said that Carrick should be a strong candidate for the vacancy if United were to return to the Champions League after a brief one-season absence.

The former Champions League winner added that the 44-year-old has ‘nothing to lose’ having arrived as a caretaker, and should stay focused and keep working towards the objective.

Silvestre said: “Michael Carrick will be considered for the job if he maintains that Champions League spot, and if the players believe in what he’s doing. He’s in the best position right now because it’s a long interview process for the permanent role.

“Every training session and every game is an opportunity for him to show his worth. He’s got nothing to lose because he came in as a caretaker. He knows the dressing room, the players, and the club, and that gives him an advantage over someone coming from outside.

“If you’re talking about a long-term project, he’s a young manager and you can expect him to keep evolving and developing. He’s put himself in a great position with his results, but he needs to stay focused and keep working.”

Carrick has hardly put a foot wrong since his appointment at the helm this winter. The Red Devils have had some luck along the way. Benjamin Sesko scored a late stoppage-time winner against Fulham at Old Trafford shortly after the club squandered a 2-0 advantage.

Sesko was once again on the scoresheet to save United’s blushes at West Ham United. The Slovenian netted a 96th-minute equaliser at the London Stadium. Hopefully, there will be no such drama when the Red Devils take on Everton on the road next Monday.

With no Cup commitments this season, United have only 12 league games to focus upon, unlike Chelsea and Liverpool, who are still alive in the FA Cup and Champions League. Hence, United are well placed to secure a top-four/five league spot come the end of May.

Carrick stands a good chance of becoming the permanent head coach if that happens.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .