Manchester United are under increasing pressure to fast-track plans to appoint a permanent manager as the club risks struggling in the summer, according to the latest reports.
Another speck of dust settles
Ineos intends to wait until the end of the season before making a final decision on Ruben Amorim’s long-term successor, when the number of potential candidates will increase as his contract expires and the World Cup ends in July. However, two of United’s top targets, Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti, have now agreed contract extensions with their respective countries, England and Brazil, effectively ruling them out of the competition.
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Another option United are looking at is Roberto De Zerbi, who left Marseille this week with plans to return to the Premier League and the 46-year-old is understood to have many admirers at Old Trafford.
But Tottenham are also chasing the Italian, who enjoyed a successful spell at Brighton before moving to France after sacking Thomas Frank on Tuesday. De Zerbi is said to even prefer a move to London rather than Manchester as he sees Tottenham as the “logical next step” in his career.
The Lilywhites have appointed former Juventus boss Igor Tudor as Frank’s interim manager until the end of the season while they consider other options. Shockingly, however, they are also keeping a close eye on Michael Carrick, who has taken on a caretaker role at United following Amorim’s explosive departure in early January.
The 44-year-old lifted the dark clouds that had loomed over the Theater of Dreams over the Christmas period by scoring 13 of 15 points in his first five games in charge as the Red Devils moved into the top four.
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Calls are growing for the legendary midfielder to be offered a full-time job at Manchester United and Ineos are believed to have included him in the review process after his impressive start. But if they wait until the summer to make a decision, it could be too late with Tottenham Hotspur under siege.
Carrick is considering
team talk Tottenham Hotspur are “seriously considering” Carrick after it was revealed they debated the appointment of the former Middlesbrough boss last summer before settling on Frank. United’s resurgence over the past month has put him “firmly on Tottenham’s radar”, although Mauricio Pochettino, another name on Ineos’ list, is their preferred target.
The report states: “What’s most striking about Tottenham is not just the unbeaten run; it’s the structure, confidence and clarity Carrick has injected into a team that was directionless just a few weeks ago.”
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“If United ultimately choose a different path, Carrick may have no shortage of top-tier suitors. The 44-year-old’s stock price has risen significantly and his calm, modern management style is resonating across the Premier League.”
A number of other clubs are also said to be interested in Carrick, with Brighton, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace also impressed by his transformative role at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick: career statistics as a manager
final thoughts
Ineos’ plan to wait until the summer to give themselves time to find the ideal candidate to succeed Amorim was a wise one. The fact that they appointed “Keeper Carrick” as the interim man to make this happen was even more sensible.
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However, it now appears that this decision may have inadvertently backfired on United’s dominant side, as the Englishman has performed beyond even his most optimistic expectations – and the club’s domestic rivals will now be hoping to taste that success.
That pressure could force Ineos to accelerate their timetable and seek to lock down Carrick before anyone else gets there first, as the field of alternatives narrows at the second – which would defeat the whole point of their restrained approach.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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