Michael Carrick has had several former teammates endorse him for the permanent Manchester United job this summer.
With just five games remaining in the 2025/26 season, Michael Carrick is within touching distance of Champions League qualification.
Since taking over from Ruben Amorim and Darren Fletcher, Carrick has strung together an impressive run of results that have put him in pole position for a permanent appointment.
Wayne Rooney has backed Carrick for the job, and now Jesse Lingard has echoed his exact reasoning.
Bruno Fernandes picked Michael Carrick as his DREAM TEAMMATE – How good would they have been together?
A title winning midfield surely?
Jesse Lingard says Michael Carrick has Man United ‘DNA’
According to Transfermarkt, Jesse Lingard played 55 matches alongside Carrick at United before also playing under him as a coach.
Lingard, now at Corinthians, spoke to BBC Sport and rallied behind Carrick for the head coach role.
When asked if Carrick should get the job, Lingard replied: “Yeah, I think so.
“He’s got the Man United DNA inside of him. He knows the ins and outs of the club, and they’re on the right track at the moment.
“The lads have taken to him really well. They’re winning a lot of games, probably get Champions League this season which is amazing. So yeah, I think so, 100%.”
If not Michael Carrick… WHO ELSE?
Can you name a good available alternative to Michael Carrick you actually want?
Jesse Lingard agrees with Wayne Rooney over Michael Carrick
After Carrick’s United beat Manchester City 2-0 back in January, Rooney immediately pointed out that the ‘DNA’ of the team was evident under Carrick.
As quoted by Football365, Rooney said: “You hear everyone, especially us as ex-players, talk about the United DNA and that has just shown what it is. Work rate off the ball, wingers getting back, filling in and helping out the full-backs.
“And the goals – crosses in the box and desire to get on the end of it. The first goal, counter-attack, sitting in and breaking fast – that is the United DNA, and that was what we’ve been missing. And hopefully this continues.
READ MORE: Forget POTY, Jesse Lingard says ‘extraordinary’ Bruno Fernandes should win the Ballon d’Or in 2026
“The work rate, the shape, the organisation of Manchester United today, the desire to get back and double up and help your teammates out and tackle and run without the ball, as quickly backwards and you do forwards. I think that was really evident today.”
Clearly, both Lingard and Rooney believe Carrick has brought back some of the club’s traditional values, and that is enough to earn him the permanent job in their view.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
