Neville Eyes Nagelsmann for United as Carrick Weighs Walk-Away Option

Michael Carrick's interim spell has done the job—Champions League qualification is virtually secured—but Gary Neville reckons the classy move would be for the interim boss to slip quietly into the sunset come summer.

Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Neville painted a picture of Carrick's potential exit: "The other day I thought it would be so classy and so Michael-like if he said: 'Guys, I've done what I came in to do – I've got you into the Champions League, I've re-stabilised the club, settled the place down. Now go and put someone in.'"

It's the sort of thing you'd expect from a football man of Carrick's calibre. Since taking over following Ruben Amorim's January dismissal, he's won nine and dropped just two from 13 matches—a record that's made life decidedly awkward for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS hierarchy, who'd reportedly prefer an 'alpha' character in the dugout.

Enter Julian Nagelsmann, Germany's manager, whom Neville has floated as a serious proposition. The Old Trafford legend was careful to stress he hasn't necessarily watched enough of the German's football to make a ringing endorsement, but the CV speaks volumes: Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig—"a serious coaching club"—a Bundesliga title at Bayern Munich, and a World Cup appearance with the national side.

"That is a serious body of work," Neville insisted.

The counterargument, though, cuts both ways. Carrick's managerial experience amounts to a solid Championship stint at Middlesbrough. Neville acknowledged the progress made there, but questioned whether it's sufficient for a club of United's stature, particularly with what lies ahead.

"When you look at someone's body of work and say that is not enough to take on a club like Chelsea, you then apply the same logic," Neville explained. "Michael's been at Middlesbrough, it's a really good start to his career and he did really well, but it isn't a body of work that makes you the Manchester United manager."

The challenge facing whoever takes the reins permanently is formidable. Champions League football, the departure of Casemiro, a summer recruitment drive—United are about to become a different proposition entirely. "What is going to come out of the dragon's mouth—which is Manchester United—in the next six to twelve months is significant," Neville said. "You need someone who has handled Champions League football, handled sixty games a season, handled the spotlight and scrutiny of United."

Whether Ratcliffe and co. see it that way remains to be seen.