Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher is convinced that the vacant Manchester United head coach role is a straight shootout between Michael Carrick and Luis Enrique now.
Michael Carrick has only seven Premier League fixtures left in his overall 17-match interim spell at Old Trafford after his appointment by the Red Devils in January.
The 44-year-old former Middlesbrough head coach’s reign is only expected to last until the end of the 2025-26 season after he replaced Ruben Amorim in the dugout.
However, Manchester United’s run of form under Carrick has seen the interim boss be mentioned in the same breath as Luis Enrique for long-term permanent picks.
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Michael Carrick vs Luis Enrique: Jamie Carragher’s verdict on Man Utd’s hunt for a new permanent head coach
Manchester United legend Michael Carrick is now pushing for the Red Devils to finish inside the Premier League top four since Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January.
The Red Devils have been tipped as one of the favourites to secure a Champions League qualification spot for the 2026-27 season at Old Trafford now.
Speaking on The Overlap’s ‘Fan Debate’ format, Jamie Carragher offered his two cents on the situation surrounding the vacant United manager role at the club.
The 48-year-old former Liverpool and England defender is now convinced that Carrick’s only real competition for the Man Utd role would come from Luis Enrique.
“So, you were talking about a new manager coming in, who could basically almost rip up a little bit of what you’ve [been] doing right now and the success that you’ve [been] getting,” Carragher said.
The Sky Sports pundit added: “Is it almost, that’s the way I feel a little bit, is it almost, it’s Luis Enrique or Michael Carrick.
“That’s the way I feel like most people are sort of feeling it now.”
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Shay Given on Michael Carrick at Man Utd amid Jamie Carragher’s Luis Enrique point
Shay Given was on The Overlap alongside Carragher and offered his two cents on the debate around Carrick during the Liverpool legend’s remarks about Enrique.
The former Manchester City and Newcastle United player feels that Carrick should not be written off from the role based on what happened with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“I think on the Carrick thing, because a lot of various experts like Gary [Neville] and maybe Roy [Keane] and stuff. Maybe Jamie [Carragher], then,” Shay Given said.
“Before Carrick managed that first, it was the Manchester derby, I think, his first game in charge, is that right?
“And they were all saying there’s no way, it doesn’t matter how well he does, he couldn’t get it because of what happened with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and all that stuff.
“But I totally disagree with that because I think he’s given this platform to go and say, ‘Is he a good enough manager?’ He’s Man United through and through. If that’s your argument, because Ole failed at the end or whatever you want to say.”
Enrique is at Paris Saint-Germain at the moment and the former Barcelona and Spain manager is tied down to a contract with the Ligue 1 club until 2027.
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