United’s “once bitten, twice shy” strategy: Look at Carrick, remember Solskjaer
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 20.02.26. | 23:22
The Red Devils reportedly don’t want to make a “knee-jerk” decision and extend the deal with the current boss despite his fantastic results, all because they had a bad experience with the Norwegian
If you asked Manchester United fans who they would like to see on their team’s bench in the next season, the vast majority would surely tell you Michael Carrick.
The current Red Devils’ manager, whose contract expires at the end of the ongoing campaign, has arrived as a “firefighter” after Ruben Amorim’s departure and has done a remarkable job, recording four wins and a draw in five games he spent in the dugout. He beat the two Premier League table-toppers, Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as Fulham and Tottenham, and completely deserved the fanbase’s support.
Yet, despite the fantastic start of Carrick’s second spell on United’s bench, he still isn’t the primary solution for the club’s head coach. Namely, according to The Telegraph, the Red Devils’ board doesn’t want to make any “knee-jerk” decisions and repeat the mistake they made with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose assistant manager Carrick was briefly in 2021.
The Norwegian took over the bench following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in 2018, won his first eight games with United, and suffered only one defeat in his first 13 duels. After winning 14 out of his 19 matches in charge, Solskjaer signed a three-year deal, and once he became a permanent solution, things started going south, as United won only two more games until the end of the season.
🚨 Manchester United will run a thorough, methodical search for their next manager assessing all available candidates even though Michael Carrick’s strong early impact has boosted his chances. The club will not rush a decision. [@Telegraph] #mufc pic.twitter.com/nUCFnVi7D2
— United Update (@UnitedUpdates) February 18, 2026
Hence, the management at Old Trafford wants to keep its options open, even though there are not many available tacticians on the market at the moment. Apart from the former England head coach Gareth Southgate and ex-Brighton and Olympique Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi, United has few other alternatives, especially after Thomas Tuchel extended his deal with the FA, dismissing all the rumours about his potential arrival at the Theatre of Dreams.
Therefore, despite their bad experience with Solskjaer, Carrick is, from this perspective, the best strategist the Red Devils can choose.
England Premier League Round 27
Saturday
18.00: (1.90) Aston Villa (3.60) Leeds (4.50)
18.00: (2.05) Brentford (3.65) Brighton (3.70)
18.00: (1.22) Chelsea (7.25) Burnley (15.0)
20.30: (2.45) West Ham (3.65) Bournemouth (2.85)
23.00: (1.50) Man.City (4.40) Newcastle (6.50)
Sunday
17.00: (1.63) Crystal Palace (3.80) Wolverhampton (5.70)
17.00: (4.20) Nott.Forest (4.00) Liverpool (1.85)
17.00: (2.70) Sunderland (3.25) Fulham (2.80)
19.30: (6.25) Tottenham (4.10) Arsenal (1.60)
Monday
23.00: (3.80) Everton (3.70) Man.Utd. (2.00)
***odds are subject to change***