Steve Bruce has several reasons why the interim coach deserves to get the job in the summer
Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce has backed Michael Carrick to be appointed as the club’s permanent coach come the summer.
Pundits such as Gary Neville and Roy Keane have insisted that the club need a more experienced, elite coach to take over the reins in the summer, but Bruce, who played for United from 1987 to 1996 and captained the club, believes Carrick has made himself a favourite for the role but for his knowledge of the club and for making all the right decisions so far.
“He’s put himself in pole position, even after six weeks,” said Bruce. “He’s been quite refreshing in his way and the one thing I’ve said about him, he understands Man United.
“I don’t mean that disrespectfully at all to anybody coming in, but you don’t realise how big a club it is and how the scrutiny on you is like no other. As soon as you walk in there, you’re in the spotlight. Everything is analysed and he understands the club that way after playing for it for 13 years, this cool, calm demeanour that he’s got.”
Carrick took up the interim role with difficult fixtures against the top two in the league, Manchester City and then Arsenal. He won both convincingly, and followed it up by winning three of the next four.
His side remain unbeaten are now odds on to finish in the Champions League places, which will be a huge financial and popularity relief for United after missing out on European competition entirely this season due to last term’s 15th-place finish. Bruce had even more points in the Englishman’s favour.
“People getting fit, like Maguire who was outstanding at Everton, [Lisandro] Martinez who didn’t play, all of a sudden they’re fit,” said Bruce. “He brings Kobbie Mainoo back into the team, and puts Bruno [Fernandes] in his right position at No 10.
“If you’ve got good players, which Man United have got, and they’re comfortable in their playing position, then for me, you’d reap the rewards and he’s done it fantastically well.
“[Matheus] Cunha, [Bryan] Mbeumo, Bruno and [Benjamin] Sesko, they’re a threat to any team going forward. With I think the shrewd appointment of Steve Holland, they look much, much more secure defensively. I think that’s the third clean sheet out of six since Michael took over, and that’s good to see too.”
