Steven Gerrard covered Tuesday’s Premier League game between Wolves and Liverpool at Molineux, where he asked about Manchester United’s revival under Michael Carrick
Steven Gerrard has made his feelings clear(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is backing Michael Carrick to get the Manchester United job on a permanent basis if his team keeps on winning.
United’s fortunes have turned around since Carrick’s appointment in January. He’s won six of his seven Premier League games in charge of the Red Devils, drawing once, to lead them up to third in the table, six points clear of Chelsea in sixth.
A top-five finish in the Premier League is expected to be enough to secure Champions League soccer next season. Gerrard, who was speaking at Molineux ahead of Liverpool’s game against Wolves on Tuesday, believes United is “nailed on” to finish in the top five.
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“They don’t need to make the decision now,” said Gerrard on TNT Sports when asked if Carrick should continue as United’s manager.
“I agree with Joe (Hart), he’s done a phenomenal job since he’s come in, he can’t do any more. If that continues — that form — and he keeps this team in a good place right until the end of the season, I think they’ll have a difficult decision not to keep him.”
Gerrard was then asked whether United should still give Carrick the job if a big-name manager becomes available.
Gerrard covered Tuesday’s game between Wolves and Liverpool for TNT Sports(Image: Getty Images)
The Liverpool icon replied: “If a big name — like a huge, world-class, elite manager — is available and there for the talking, I’m sure they’re gonna look at it.
“But Michael Carrick can’t do any more. If he continues this form from now until the end of the season, then you’ve got a decision where the fans are involved as well. And the fans will want Michael in.”
Yet former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was standing alongside Gerrard on TNT Sports, doesn’t believe it’s that simple.
Hart argued: “They want to give him a chance, but, at the same time, they’re in that merry-go-round where people are going to want to have top managers in the summer, so they’ve got to start making contact with people, but can’t promise anything. It’s really difficult.”
Carrick’s players can open up a six-point gap on Liverpool in fifth if they beat Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Wednesday. That’s because the Arne Slot’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat at Molineux on Tuesday, with Wolves star Andre scoring a last-minute winner.
“I think it’s down to ourselves,” Van Dijk told TNT Sports while reflecting on the loss.
“It was slow, we were predictable, sloppy in possession and wrong decision-making.
“We didn’t concede chances, but if you perform like that, then a result like this can be a result of that, and that’s a fact. It was disappointing.”