Nicky Butt has explained how Michael Carrick will not “cause” Manchester United the same kind of “headache” that was felt under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick is tipped as one of the candidates to become the next permanent Manchester United manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era of the club.
The 44-year-old former Middlesbrough manager has overseen seven Premier League wins and two draws since his appointment as interim head coach at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are on the hunt for their next permanent head coach amid the 2025-26 season after Ruben Amorim was sacked as Man Utd manager in January.
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If not Michael Carrick… WHO ELSE?
Can you name a good available alternative to Michael Carrick you actually want?
Nicky Butt reveals the difference between Michael Carrick and former Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho
Michael Carrick’s interim head coach reign at Manchester United is only expected to last until the end of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign at Old Trafford.
However, United’s huge turnaround in form and consistency under his watch has led to Carrick becoming a potential option for the club in the post-Ruben Amorim era.
Man Utd have managed to climb to third place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils are now one of the favourites to finish inside the top four this season.
Speaking on his podcast alongside Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt explained Carrick would not cause the same volatility as someone like Jose Mourinho did in the past.
“The thing with the Michael scenario is that it’s all well and good people saying that he’s not quite ready for the job, and I get that side of the argument as well,” he said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
“But for me, if you’re asking me the question, if you don’t give it to Michael, then who are you giving it to? There’s nobody I can think of that is jumping out, going: that’s the man.
“So that’s why I think Michael will get it. He’s doing a good job; he knows the football club.
“Even more importantly, I think the people above him will like working with Michael; he’s not going to cause them too much of a headache, he’s not going to start being a Jose Mourinho. He’s the easy choice.”
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YOU are Michael Carrick – Pitch why you should be permanent Man Utd manager to Ineos
Give us your two-line pitch…
Nicky Butt thinks there is no real opposition candidate to Michael Carrick for the permanent Man Utd managerial role
Carlo Ancelotti has been linked with the Man Utd managerial role amid preparations for Brazil’s World Cup campaign in North America in the summer.
However, Man Utd legend Butt is not convinced that Carlo Ancelotti will come to Old Trafford and does not believe there is another standout candidate on the market.
“Also, their get out if it was to go wrong… I don’t know anyone who is jumping out and they’re speaking to,” he added.
“Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel is signed [to England], I don’t think Carlo Ancelotti would come, I really don’t think we would come.
“So, there’s nobody there in my eyes going, ‘Well, you’ve got to take him!’ […] It’s not like a Jose Mourinho or a Jurgen Klopp has become available.”
Man Utd will return to Premier League action under Carrick against Leeds United next Monday for their first match in the post-March international break.
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