Sir Alex Ferguson has an alternative role when it comes to Manchester United manager searches
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Michael Carrick’s anticipated appointment as Manchester United’s permanent manager.
United have considered alternative candidates but Carrick has consistently been viewed as the leading contender. Significantly, as reported by the Mirror this week, co-owners the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe agree that he merits remaining in the role. That support extends to the club’s most successful ever manager, Ferguson.
Since stepping down in 2013, the Scot was frequently consulted on managerial matters. While that hasn’t occurred on this occasion, it is understood he supports the likely permanent appointment of Carrick.
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Carrick would become the seventh permanent manager since Ferguson’s retirement. Ferguson personally selected his successor, David Moyes, but has been less involved in recent years. He supported Jose Mourinho’s appointment in 2026, jokingly advising the Portuguese manager to “bring an umbrella” for Manchester’s wet weather.
Mourinho said of Ferguson at the time: “His opinion is an important opinion for me in the same way that many legends in this club love the club and are in the punditry industry, so every opinion will be important for me.”
Ferguson also seemed to establish a strong rapport with Erik ten Hag, dining out with the Dutch manager. Although Ferguson, a non-executive director, hasn’t been formally consulted lately, he has been informed of developments concerning Carrick.
The former Middlesbrough manager has exceeded all expectations since taking charge in January, following the conclusion to Ruben Amorim’s troubled tenure.
Carrick has overseen a dramatic turnaround in both atmosphere and performances, with United securing Champions League football with three games to spare and closing in on a third-place Premier League finish.
That remarkable revival has placed the club’s former midfielder, captain and coach in the driving seat to retain the position, with discussions understood to be ongoing ahead of the season’s conclusion.
Carrick also enjoys backing from several of his former United colleagues, amongst them Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand. Rooney has urged the club to appoint Carrick as soon as possible, given what promises to be a hectic summer of transfer activity as Carrick looks to reshape the squad.
Speaking on the BBC, Rooney said: “I think for the club to announce him, I think they need to do it swiftly because they need to get players in. They need to get players to improve that team.”
Meanwhile, Ferdinand told talkSPORT: “He’s earned the right to manage Manchester United. He’s taken us to third convincingly. On that alone, he deserves an opportunity.”
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