Manchester United face a fresh start once again in 2026 after sacking Ruben Amorim at the start of the year. Michael Carrick may have the answers.
Michael Carrick is hoping to get the approval from club chiefs to land the Manchester United head coach job on a permanent basis.
After impressing during his first five games in charge, Carrick has become a fan favourite to secure the role.
Ineos are assessing their upcoming decision, and should take a lesson from legendary manager Sir Matt Busby’s blueprint for success.
Prove me wrong: Michael Carrick has already shown enough to become permanent Man United manager.
13 points from 15 would be title winning form over a full season…
Sir Matt Busby’s three non-negotiables
Sir Matt Busby met with Manchester United chairman James Gibson on this day in 1945, February 20.
Gibson intended to appoint a new manager for the 1945/46 season, and thanks to a connection with Louis Rocca, Busby secured a meeting.
He laid down his three non-negotiables to take Manchester United forward, all of which resonate to this very day.
- Full control of team selection
- Leading training sessions
- Five-year security
Busby had already turned down an assistant manager role with Liverpool due to a lack of control in team affairs.
He was successful in landing the Manchester United job, despite how unusual it was at the time for managers to have total power in team selection. It was often done by committee or club secretaries.
The decision to appoint Busby helped to shape Manchester United. He transformed the club from also-rans into a powerhouse of English football. He was given time, winning the First Division title in his seventh season in charge.
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How they apply in 2026
There are key lessons to be learned for Ineos regarding Sir Matt Busby’s demands, and the Michael Carrick decision.
Ineos technical director Jason Wilcox interfered with Ruben Amorim by insisting he changed formation, and this ultimately led to his exit.
Was Wilcox right? Perhaps. But he can also remove the temptation to do so by hiring Carrick, a manager who is already playing the way he wants him to. Getting on the same page from the start is essential.
From there, Wilcox must learn his lessons and back away, leaving it to the manager.
Busby’s insistence on leading the training sessions can be mirrored by Carrick, who is a hands-on head coach who wants to be involved.
Speaking in his first interview as United boss, Carrick said: “Nothing beats that. Getting on the grass with the boys is where I want to be, working with them.”
Busby’s final non-negotiable is the hardest sell, a five-year plan. Manchester United have tried long-term appointments before, and they often have not worked.
The difference with Carrick is that he may have the resolve and the plan to see out a long-term vision, just like Busby did.
Busby’s plea for time was because of his Academy masterplan, with the development of young players vital to the nucleus of his great sides.
Michael Carrick has already shown a great appreciation for United’s Academy, travelling down to Oxford this week to watch the under-18s in the FA Youth Cup.
That age group have a special group of players led by wonderkid JJ Gabriel, while Carrick has already handed Tyler Fletcher his debut.
Carrick can argue that with time on his side, he can utilise United’s youngsters as a major asset to first team success, as he is already showing with Kobbie Mainoo.
Culturally, Carrick is looking like the perfect fit. He has fitted in seamlessly behind the scenes and instantly gets what the club is all about. The results have been impressive, and it would be a popular decision if Ineos appoint him permanently.
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