Michael Carrick stakes Manchester United claim in 13-game audition
Manchester United are weighing up the permanent appointment of interim manager Michael Carrick following a 13-game Premier League run that bears striking similarities to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s path to the job.
The former England midfielder took charge at Old Trafford in mid-January following the departure of Ruben Amorim.
Since stepping into the dugout, the interim boss has significantly improved results and steadied a previously turbulent squad.
However, lingering doubts remain among some supporters due to eerie parallels with a previous caretaker spell.
Statistical edge for the Norwegian
Solskjaer famously earned the full-time role in 2019 after arriving from Molde as an emergency replacement.
Across their respective first 13 league matches, the Norwegian holds a slight statistical advantage over his former assistant.
The former striker collected 32 points from a possible 39, three more than the current side have managed.
His 2019 team also proved more potent in attack, scoring 29 times while conceding three fewer goals than the present lineup.
Tougher fixtures test the current regime
Despite the points deficit, a closer look at the fixture list reveals a vastly different level of opposition.
The 2019 caretaker run included matches against all three relegated clubs and featured only four top-half opponents.
In contrast, the current manager has faced seven teams sitting tenth or higher since replacing the Portuguese head coach.
The Old Trafford outfit have demonstrated serious big-game credentials recently by securing back-to-back victories against Manchester City and Arsenal.
A crucial win over Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa has also strengthened their grip on third place in the table.
Brushing off the comparisons
The man currently in the hot seat has been quick to distance himself from the narrative surrounding his predecessor.
He bluntly dismissed the continuous comparisons to the 2019 campaign.
“Irrelevant.”
The 44-year-old correctly argues that every tactician must operate within their own unique set of circumstances.
The club hierarchy must now decide whether this impressive sequence warrants a permanent agreement ahead of the summer.