Hargreaves Warns of Old Trafford Revolt if United Deny Carrick Permanent Role

Owen Hargreaves has thrown his weight behind Michael Carrick's case for the Manchester United job on a permanent basis, insisting it would be impossible for the INEOS hierarchy to deny him if he secures Champions League football.

Carrick's interim tenure has yielded six victories and a draw, propelling United into third place in the Premier League table. That impressive record came to an end with a defeat at St James' Park, but the Red Devils remain well-positioned in what is shaping up to be a three-horse race for Champions League spots alongside Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool.

The Manchester club hold a significant advantage over their rivals: they have no European commitments this season, allowing them to focus entirely on domestic football. Yet despite this windfall and some unconvincing recent performances, Hargreaves reckons Carrick has done enough to warrant the permanent appointment if he delivers European qualification.

"Yeah, every situation is different," Hargreaves said when asked about parallels with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, another former player turned interim manager. "The biggest compliment I can pay Michael is that he manages just like he played – so understated and with real class. He's prepared. It's not about him. He was a brilliant player, and he still knew a brilliant job as a manager. He's a young manager and I think one thing Carrick has is he's good with people, and he's given all these boys confidence to go and achieve success."

The former Bayern Munich midfielder highlighted Carrick's understanding of the pressures involved at a club of United's stature. "Michael knows what it's like to be a player, be under pressure. Deal with the pressure, deal with the fans, deal with higher ups in the football club. And so far, he's done it perfect."

When pressed on whether the job is Carrick's to lose, Hargreaves was emphatic: "Has to be! If he gets into the top five, they can't not give it to him and if they don't there's going to be an absolute uproar. Because from where they were to where they'll finish in the champions league places, then they'll have money to spend to be one of the top teams. I don't see you could not give it to him if he finishes in the top five. I don't even see how that could be possible."

Shay Given echoed calls for composure from United's decision-makers in the wake of the Newcastle setback. "They've lost the game of football; it's not the end of the world," Given said. "I think Michael Carrick spoke really well after the game. You don't want a media pile on now, saying 'he's not the right man for the job' after one defeat. This is a Premier League. This is St James's Park. This is a tough place to come at the best of times and Newcastle had a huge response tonight."

The former goalkeeper urged perspective given the transformation Carrick has already overseen. "It's about keeping level heads, thinking about where they were and where they're at from where he took over the football club, sitting in third in the Premier League. It's not all doom and gloom after one result."