Carrick can stabilise Man United but won’t win EPL — Carragher

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has backed Michael Carrick to restore stability at Manchester United but doubts the manager can lead the club to Premier League or Champions League glory.

Carrick took permanent charge of United after initially serving as interim manager and guided the club to third place last season, securing Champions League qualification.

However, Carragher believes Carrick can help United establish themselves as a consistent Champions League club but questioned whether he possesses the managerial quality needed to win the biggest trophies.

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Speaking on The Overlap on Monday, Carragher said United needed to maintain the stability they had experienced under Carrick before considering another managerial change.

“I’m not saying it’s going to go wrong. What Manchester United have had for the last six months, need that for another 12 months of not being the circus, not being the story all the time, and Carrick brings you that,” he said.

However, the former Liverpool defender said he did not see Carrick as the manager who would ultimately deliver major honours to United.

“But has he got that stardust to win the biggest trophy? And I think you need to get to a strong position of being a proper Champions League club again. And then, right, what do we need?” he said.

Carragher compared the situation to a player taking a club to a certain level before another figure with greater quality is brought in to compete for major honours.

“I personally just don’t think Michael Carrick’s got that stardust as a manager to win a Champions League or a Premier League,” he added.

“I don’t believe Michael Carrick will win the league or the Champions League with Manchester United, but he’s done a really good job.”

Carragher said Carrick could nevertheless have a successful season and put United in a position to appoint a manager capable of competing for the biggest trophies.

“He could have a good season and put Manchester United in a position to then go and get a Champions League-winning manager,” he said.

Carrick has strengthened United’s midfield during the summer, bringing in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

Carragher also questioned United’s decision not to pursue former West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who joined Tottenham for £85 million.

“I was a little bit worried when I saw United linked with Fernandes because I thought that could be a good signing,” he said.

“I just looked at him and his age and was surprised United didn’t go for Fernandes. They said it was too expensive, but was it that expensive?”

Carragher added that the current transfer market made it difficult to sign top midfielders for significantly lower fees.

“I know £85million is a lot, but you’re never going to get a really top midfielder now for £50million,” he said.

United have lost only one of their pre-season matches, against AC Milan, while the club is also facing uncertainty over Marcus Rashford’s future.

Carrick has indicated that Rashford remains part of his plans, while United defender Harry Maguire has backed the forward to stay at Old Trafford.

“As players, we hope he stays because if he does, he is a big asset to have. He can improve us for sure,” Maguire said.

The defender added that Rashford had shown his threat during pre-season and could make a significant contribution to the team.