Tom Olver
Published February 16, 2026 5:25pm
Updated February 16, 2026 10:06pm
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Michael Carrick remains undefeated at Manchester United since taking over from Ruben Amorim (Picture: Getty)
Emmanuel Petit says Manchester United would be making a ‘big mistake’ should they qualify for the Champions League and then move away from Michael Carrick.
Carrick has done a remarkable job since taking over the reins from Ruben Amorim on an interim basis last month, steering United to four straight victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham.
Having been held to a 1-1 draw away to West Ham in their last contest, the Red Devils will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they return to action at Everton next Monday night.
Carrick’s players appear to be playing with a spring in their step once again and the impressive run since Amorim’s departure has seen the club rise to fourth in the Premier League table.
The extraordinary manner in which Carrick has managed to turn United’s fortunes around so quickly has led to inevitable calls for the 44-year-old to be handed the position in a full-time capacity at the end of the season.
This is despite the fact Carrick’s only previous role in permanent management was with Championship outfit Middlesbrough, who made the decision to sack the ex-England midfielder last summer.
Recent reports emanating out of Old Trafford indicated that club bosses were leaning towards an external appointment, with Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti both highly regarded at the Theatre of Dreams.
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The Red Devils sit fourth in the table after their resurgence under Carrick (Picture: Getty)
Carrick deserves a ‘chance’ after his outstanding start, says Petit (Picture: Getty)
However, Tuchel would go on to commit his future to England until 2028 before Ancelotti also ruled himself out of the running by agreeing to a new deal with the Brazilian national team.
According to Petit, though, United should not even be considering other candidates at this stage given how Carrick has transformed the squad during his month-long reign in the hot seat.
‘Michael Carrick is a former player, he knows the club very well, and I think his link with the dressing room is very important. I think the players seem to be happier with him,’ the ex-Arsenal, Chelsea and France midfielder told Ignition Casino.
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Previous Page Next Page‘I think he probably understands something that Ruben Amorim didn’t. I think he’s more flexible with the players, too. I think his management has been different, both on and off the pitch, compared to Amorim.
‘This is something that always surprised me. All of a sudden, there wasn’t a great tactical change, not really. But we see different behaviour on the pitch and different results.
‘So, at the end of the day, it’s always about the players. So, can he get the chance to stay at Manchester United? I hope so.
‘I wish he would get the chance because Manchester United has been spending so much money on changing and sacking managers, some of the greatest on their bench, for the same results. And all of a sudden, a former player with not much experience at the highest level is doing a good job.’
Carrick’s men head to Everton next Monday night (Picture: Getty)
Petit believes the situation should not even be up for debate if Carrick manages to qualify United for next season’s Champions League.
‘Give him a chance. If Manchester United are back in the Champions League for next season and the board decide to let him go, that would be a big mistake,’ the 1998 World Cup winner added.
‘They’re changing managers too often. When you get the chance to have results, fans don’t care who is on the bench, honestly. That’s my opinion, especially nowadays when the manager has no power.’
Keane and Neville both have doubts about appointing Carrick on a permanent basis (Picture: Getty(
Roy Keane has made no secret of his doubts about giving Carrick the permanent job, insisting he should not be appointed even if United somehow ‘win every game from now until the end of the season’.
But Petit called on the likes of Keane and Gary Neville to ‘give Carrick a chance’ to put forward his case considering United have tried big-name managers with little success in recent times.
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‘Gary Neville and Roy Keane don’t want Michael Carrick at Manchester United for next season, so who do they want on the bench?’ he said.
‘Maybe they want Jose Mourinho to come back, United have tried these big names.
‘I have no idea who’s going to be the best manager for Manchester United. But for me, the best manager on the bench for any club is the one who gets results.
‘Currently, Carrick is having results. Why people are asking the question, I have no idea. Give him a chance.’
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