Wes Brown pinpoints major problem Man Utd face if they don’t appoint Michael Carrick

Wes Brown believes Michael Carrick must now be considered the frontrunner for the permanent Manchester United job, warning the club against ‘starting from the beginning again’ in the summer.

Since taking the reins in January, United have taken 19 points from a possible 21 under Carrick’s guidance to climb into third place in the Premier League for the first time since May 2023.

Initially brought in until the end of the season, the former midfielder has put himself firmly in the frame for the job beyond this summer with the list of possible alternatives shortening.

Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract with England with Carlo Ancelotti set to do likewise with Brazil ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Paris Saint-Germain are also trying to tie Luis Enrique down to a new contract while Oliver Glasner, once the favourite for the job, is enduring a turbulent end to his time at Crystal Palace.

With Champions League qualification back within their reach, United face a pivotal summer where getting recruitment and pre-season preparation right will be vital.

Brown, who won two Premier League titles and the Champions League alongside Carrick, believes his old teammate is now close to landing the job full-time. While there is still the possibility of a new face coming in, the former defender has warned it could waste more time.

‘The situation Michael has put himself into now, he has to be considered one of the front runners,’ Brown told Metro via BetMGM.

‘When you get a new manager in, I understand you work a bit harder after someone has been sacked because you don’t want to feel like you’re responsible. The energy levels against Arsenal and Man City, I understand it, but to keep it going without changing the team much, is absolutely fantastic.

‘It’s a hard decision. Michael is among the top names. But the problem is if he does well and gets us in the Champions League and we bring in a new manager next season, that could interrupt things again. It would be another change, more new personnel, a new voice, and you are starting from the beginning again.

‘Bringing Michael in just until the of the season was the shout at the beginning, but because he’s done such a good job you have to look at him.

‘If you look at the squad, they have got some brilliant players, but if you go off the bench there is a lot of young players so you know there are going to be players brought in over the summer.

‘There’s a lot that will happen in the summer, there are going to be at least two big signings you would think.

‘There are some great young lads looking to start their career and its whether you want to start the whole thing again with a new manager. With Michael, he knows what needs to happen.’