Manchester United's interim manager Michael Carrick. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA

Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA

Granted, the competition isn’t hectic. But whichever Manchester United official declined the request from Sky Sports for Michael Carrick to conduct his pre-derby interview directly with their matchday studio, as reported by the Daily Mail, must now be short odds for employee of the month.

Imagine that deeply awkward three minutes or so of TV. Carrick, hair freshly gelled, club blazer over a dark T-shirt. Smart, yes, but cool also. A look that says, ‘yes, I am of Tyneside and Manchester United, but I could also just as easily be Xabi Alonso’.