Manchester United are approaching a crucial decision regarding their managerial future, but Michael Carrick has made one thing clear amid growing discussion.
The club currently sit third in the Premier League and look set to secure Champions League qualification.
Carrick has overseen eight wins from 12 matches, putting himself in a strong position to remain in charge beyond this season.
However, his run has inevitably drawn comparisons with a familiar figure. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a similar start when he took over as caretaker manager in December 2018.
The Norwegian won eight consecutive matches at the beginning of his tenure and followed that with 14 wins from his first 19 games. That form earned him the job on a permanent basis.
However, results dipped sharply after his appointment, with United winning just two of their final ten games that season and missing out on Champions League football.
Solskjaer remained in charge until November 2021 but failed to deliver silverware, despite reaching a Europa League final and multiple domestic semi-finals.
Speaking about those comparisons during the pre-match press conference ahead of Brentford clash, Michael Carrick dismissed the idea that there is any real connection. He said:
“I don’t think it’s disrespectful. I’ve got the utmost respect for him, he’s a close friend of mine and I worked closely with him when I was here.
“I was quite attached to that and we did a lot of good things. We came close. In the end, it changed and went in a different direction. That’s football.”
“But it’s irrelevant really. It really is. That’s not a negative or a positive. It just doesn’t have a link at all.”
Carrick also addressed his own situation at the club. He insisted he is not pushing for clarity on his future. He said:
“It’s not something in terms of deadline that I’m really chasing. It will become clear when it becomes clear.”
For now, Carrick remains focused on results, with Manchester United set to make a final decision after their final game of the season.
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