Michael Owen believes Michael Carrick has to be considered for the Manchester United job permanently, with the club targeting a fifth straight victory under the 44-year-old when they lock horns with West Ham at the London Stadium tonight.
The Red Devils endured an inconsistent campaign under Ruben Amorim prior to the 40-year-old’s dismissal in January.
Since Carrick’s appointment as interim manager, however, the club haven’t looked back.
United have won all four of their matches under their former midfielder, with Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham all overcome.
With the fallen giants starting to rise once more, volumes for Carrick to be given the job permanently have grown louder.
For his part, the ex-England international has made it clear that his sole focus is seeing out the season – with Champions League qualification the No 1 goal.
Yet Owen, speaking exclusively to GB News via Casino.org , where he is now the UK ambassador for the online casino comparison site, believes the club’s remarkable displays means he must be considered to lead the team permanently.
“Michael Carrick couldn’t really have done any better could he?” he said.
“It was only a few weeks ago I was with Michael doing broadcast work and he didn’t seem in any rush to get back into a job, but I guess when Manchester United come calling, you definitely can’t say no to that.
Michael Owen and Michael Carrick were once teammates with Manchester United and England
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“I believe Man Utd will do the right thing, not make a knee-jerk reaction, but take their time as the months go on.
“The most impressive thing I am seeing is the way Man Utd are playing, the results have been amazing, but the way they are playing is really good.
“To beat Man City comfortably at home, was one of the best performances I’ve seen in many years from a Man Utd team, and that has continued. The win at Arsenal, that has to be recognised.
“I’ve seen many people say you can’t give Michael Carrick the job regardless, but I can’t disagree more.
“Man Utd have tried absolutely everything over the past decade. Proven Managers, experienced managers, ex-players, new kids on the block, the latest top coaches from Europe he’s the one manager that all of a sudden that is getting a tune out the players.
Michael Carrick has worked wonders at Manchester United so far
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“The crowd are buzzing, the confidence is flowing, there seems to be stability.
“Imagine if he qualifies for the Champions League and the board say, ‘thanks for the job Michael and now we’re going to employ someone different’ and then Man Utd go back to what has been happening the last 10 to 12 years.
“I mean talk about shooting yourself in the foot. He is there, under your nose and though Michael won’t thank me for saying this, he is the perfect option.”
Many players have impressed for United under Carrick.
Bryan Mbeumo has been scoring goals, Matheus Cunha has been playing with freedom and Casemiro now resembles the player that won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
Arguably the best of the lot, however, has been Kobbie Mainoo.
The England international suffered under Amorim. Prior to the Portuguese’s sacking last month, he hadn’t started in the league this season.
But Mainoo has quickly become undroppable for Carrick.
With the World Cup in the summer creeping closer, Owen feels the 20-year-old is doing everything right to boost his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a key player for Man Utd since Michael Carrick’s appointment
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“He is in with a great shout,” he said.
“Mainoo has looked excellent since he came back to the team and there is no better person than Carrick to work with.
“Absolutely, he is proving Amorim wrong and if he continues at this form for the remainder of the season, he can most definitely make the England squad.
“[Declan] Rice and [Elliot] Anderson would be the ones who are looking good to start for England, plus [Adam] Wharton at Palace should be in the squad and then Mainoo has a big chance now.
“I’m delighted for him to be back playing again for Manchester United.”
United drew 1-1 with West Ham at Old Trafford earlier this season.
However, with Carrick at the wheel, they’ll now fancy their chances of making it five victories on the trot.
How the fixture plays out remains to be seen.
