Not Manchester United, Carrick could make a decision that shakes the Premier League

Michael Carrick made a strong impression as caretaker at Man Utd, yet Paul Scholes suggests he could be managing a Premier League competitor next summer.

Michael Carrick has emerged as a rare bright spot for Manchester United during a turbulent period. As interim manager, the former England midfielder helped the team secure victories against Manchester City and Arsenal, quickly drawing attention from experts and fans alike.

A series of positive results has led to Carrick being mentioned as a strong candidate for the permanent head coach position. However, according to multiple sources, INEOS still prefers an experienced coach to ensure their ambition of competing for titles from the next season onward.

This cautious approach is also supported by many former Man Utd legends. Roy Keane and Gary Neville both believe the club must be rational in their decision-making, especially after lessons learned during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure.

Speaking on the podcast The Good, The Bad, & The Football, Paul Scholes clearly explained the pressure difference between an interim manager and a permanent one. He stated: “He took over when things had been bad for a whole year, so it couldn’t really get any worse. Therefore, as an interim manager, the pressure wasn’t really high.”

Scholes went on to highlight the risks if Man Utd were to entrust Carrick with a long-term role. “But once you take the job permanently, say from the start of next season, you have to win immediately. Man Utd is definitely still haunted somewhat by Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer]’s story. If Ole’s situation hadn’t happened, Carrick’s chances of being chosen would probably be higher.”

According to Scholes, competition is also a crucial factor. “But if this summer Michael has to compete with someone like Thomas Tuchel, considering their experience managing big clubs and winning major trophies, there can only be one winner, and it’s difficult to compete with that.”

From this, Scholes predicted another scenario for Carrick. Tottenham Hotspur was mentioned as a potential destination, especially since the club is currently struggling. Concluding on his former teammate’s future, Scholes affirmed: “It could be Tottenham. That wouldn’t surprise me at all.”