The noise surrounding Manchester United's dugout has reached a fever pitch, but Michael Owen believes the answer to their managerial woes has been right under their noses all along: interim boss Michael Carrick. After a decade of managerial merry-go-rounds, a homegrown solution is delivering results, and Owen is adamant the club must seize this moment.
Why Carrick is the Man for Old Trafford
- Michael Carrick's stunning four-game winning streak has completely transformed Manchester United's season, igniting their Champions League qualification hopes.
- Owen insists ignoring Carrick's evident success and deep understanding of the club for an 'experienced' outsider would be a catastrophic error in judgment.
- United has tried everything from 'born winners' to 'new things' in their decade-long search for stability; Carrick offers a unique, authentic pathway forward.
- Appointing Carrick would also be a shrewd financial move, sidestepping hefty compensation packages and lengthy adjustment periods for external candidates.
From Interim Maestro to Permanent Commander
Following the departure of Ruben Amorim – a coach whose rigid 3-4-2-1 system ultimately stalled progress – Michael Carrick stepped into the breach. What followed has been nothing short of a revelation. The former midfield general has orchestrated four successive victories, propelling the Red Devils firmly back into contention for Europe's elite competition. The team's performances, particularly the dominant display against Manchester City, have been lauded as some of the best in years, showcasing a newfound confidence and attacking flair.
Some pundits, including Roy Keane, have raised questions about giving Carrick the permanent role, advocating for a more seasoned head. However, Owen passionately counters this, arguing that Manchester United has exhausted every other option.
Owen's Fiery Verdict: Don't Shoot Yourself in the Foot!
Speaking to GOAL, Michael Owen didn't mince words about the club's managerial future. "I think Manchester United will do the right thing and not just knee-jerk in saying ‘give Michael Carrick the job tomorrow’," Owen began. "But, if he qualifies Manchester United for the Champions League and we see the continuation of these performances... the most impressive thing is the way that they are playing. They are playing well."
Owen highlighted the stark contrast to previous eras. "Manchester United, over the last decade or so, have tried absolutely everything," he explained. "They have gone for born winners, for proven, for ex-players, the next new thing from different countries, the old head. They have gone for everything. The one manager that could... all of a sudden it looks like he is getting a tune out of the players, the crowd are buzzing, the confidence is flowing, it looks like there is a stability, he gets the club, he has got the right demeanour, he is a proper guy that has done it the tough way."
He concluded with a stark warning: "Imagine if he qualified for the Champions League and did so well and they said ‘thanks for the job Michael, now we are going to employ someone else’... Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! It’s under your nose."
The Allure of the Homegrown Hero
Owen, a Premier League title winner with United in 2010-11, emphasized the multifaceted benefits of retaining Carrick. "Michael won’t thank me for saying it, but he is a perfect option. He is going to come cheap, Manchester United’s finances aren’t in the best position at the moment, so here’s a guy who lives there, understands it, family is in area, no problem with settling, no problem with the language, no problem with anything, he is there and waiting and you could probably get him for a fraction of the price of any other manager. You also don’t have to buy him out of any other contract."
He also dismissed the popular calls for big-name managers like Thomas Tuchel or Mauricio Pochettino, many of whom are currently tied up with international duties ahead of the 2026 World Cup. "This is a big job that needs a lot of planning," Owen stated. "Here’s somebody that is there, that can start having these conversations, not now but in the coming weeks and months. I cannot disagree more with some saying ‘regardless, he shouldn’t be here’. I can’t understand that."
Carrick now targets a fifth successive win as the Red Devils prepare for a crucial trip to relegation-threatened West Ham. A decision on the long-term managerial future is slated for the end of the 2025-26 campaign, but for Owen, the choice is clear.
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