Carrick Has Done Enough to Earn the Job, Says Brown

Michael Carrick's impressive turnaround at Manchester United has left former Red Wes Brown convinced the interim boss has essentially earned the right to stay beyond the summer, and that the club should think twice before bringing in a big-name replacement.

Since taking the reins from Ruben Amorim, Carrick has orchestrated a revival that has kept United firmly positioned in the Premier League's top four. What was meant to be a temporary arrangement until a marquee manager could be installed has transformed into something far more significant.

Brown, the five-time Premier League champion who started in United's 2008 Champions League-winning side, has put his cards on the table with regard to Carrick's candidacy. Speaking to Football365 with BetWright football betting, the former defender made a compelling case for continuity.

"He has already put his name in the hat to get the job, there's no doubt about it," Brown said. "He will know all this talk is going on about him getting the job, but he won't be concentrating on that. He will be looking forward to the next match and trying to get us into the Champions League next season."

The transformation from the chaos of recent months has been stark. Where United previously showed flashes of promise before collapsing, Carrick has injected a consistency that had seemed impossible under his predecessor. The upturn has been so pronounced that Brown questions the logic of change for change's sake.

"If something doesn't need fixing, why fix it? That's what I'd say about Michael. He's doing a good job and over a longer period of time, something could happen, but no one can predict the future," Brown reflected.

"I just feel we've had a lot of managers with experience that have got us to a certain point and can't take us over that edge. So if Michael does really well between now and the end of the season and then they decide to bring another manager in who doesn't start well, you'd be kicking yourself and asking why did we change it. That's why this is going to be such a tough decision."

The restoration of morale at Old Trafford has been particularly notable. Brown highlighted how Carrick's straightforward approach has allowed the considerable talent within the squad to breathe and perform at their level.

"From the first game, we could see that the players were enjoying it and once you win one game, you just want to keep doing it," the former centre-back added. "At the end of the day, we are talking about good players. That's why they are at Manchester United. You just have to let them express themselves and go and let them do what they do best."

That opening fixture against Manchester City set the tone, and the momentum has carried through subsequent matches. United supporters, who endured a grinding period of uncertainty, have rediscovered the sense of anticipation that should accompany a club of this stature.

"As fans, we are looking forward to games again. As a fan, the last few weeks have been really good to watch and we are going into games believing we can win all over again," Brown said. "We nearly scored from our first attack against Tottenham on Saturday and that's what fans want to see. You want a bit of excitement and that's what they've had since Michael took over. The lads are 100 per-cent behind him."

Brown also praised Carrick's composure and understanding of the modern managerial environment—his ability to navigate the media circus without allowing external noise to derail his work.

"I just feel Michael understands the game, understands the media, he knows what will be said and written on a bad day and a good day. He will be excellent at absorbing all of that and not letting it get to him," Brown explained. "Every manager who meets Michael will be asking him what he's done to get this reaction at United and for me, the big thing is he knows a lot of the players and whatever he has done has got a positive reaction."

The resurgence in attacking play has been particularly encouraging. The quick, incisive passing that had become a rarity under previous regimes has returned, a direct result of the confidence Carrick has restored.

"He has told the players to look forward, play on the front foot and we are seeing all the one touch football coming back, which is all to do with confidence," Brown noted.

With the club believed to be moving toward appointing a permanent manager later in 2026, Carrick's position will only strengthen if he can guide United back into the Champions League. Whether that proves sufficient to convince the hierarchy to back continuity remains to be seen, but Brown's assessment suggests the case for stability has rarely been stronger.