‘These are the little things that matter’ – Sancho on importance of stats in football
Video credit: TNT Sports
Manchester United “have to give” Michael Carrick the permanent manager’s job if he gets them into the UEFA Champions League, believes Owen Hargreaves, ahead of a seminal summer for the club.After the mid-season sacking of Ruben Amorim, the Ineos-led United hierarchy brought in Carrick as caretaker boss with – so far – a great degree of success.It has led to early calls for the ex-United midfielder to be given the role permanently, and plenty for the Old Trafford decision-makers to chew over with just seven games left of the Premier League season.
As a former team-mate of Carrick’s with United and England, Hargreaves is well-placed to give a verdict on the decision facing the club – and why the 44-year-old has been so successful in the role to date.
“He’s just put players back in their natural position,” Hargreaves told TNT Sports.
“I think obviously the formation under Ruben Amorim didn’t suit a lot of guys. I think you could argue nine or 10 players are playing slightly different positions.
“Even [Bryan] Mbeumo is playing as a striker as well, the No. 10s are now playing as wingers, they have three in midfield rather than two, there are two centre-backs instead of three, there are full-backs instead of wing-backs.
“Kobbie Mainoo’s back in the team; he fits like a glove with Bruno [Fernandes] and Casemiro.
“I think Michael’s done a brilliant job of just putting people in their natural position, and giving them a bit of confidence to go and play and express themselves.”
Premier League table (as of Mar 25th) since Carrick appointment on Jan 13th
Image credit: Opta
And on the key question of whether Carrick should be made permanent manager, Hargreaves was unequivocal.
“If they finish in the top four or five [in the league], he has to be,” he said. “I don’t know how you could not give it to him.
“You can talk about experience all you like. They’ve had big names there. The most important thing is getting results, and Michael’s getting results.
“If you gave him the job to get you into the Champions League and he gets you there, in my opinion you have to give it to him.”
Rashford could thrive in ‘different climate’
It is not just off the pitch where United have vital choices to make.
The club’s playing personnel is set to be swelled by the return of Marcus Rashford in the summer, with the 28-year-old forward – spending the season on loan at Barcelona – still under contract at United until 2028.Rashford – named by Thomas Tuchel in England’s squad for their March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan – has not played for United since December 2024, but Hargreaves feels he could yet “thrive” again at the club following a turbulent time under Amorim.
“Marcus has done brilliantly at Barcelona,” Hargreaves said.
“But I’d love to see him on the left-hand side [at Man Utd]. That’s probably the only spot where there’s a bit of space for somebody. In that left-wing position, I think Marcus would suit brilliantly.
“Sometimes a change of scenery is good for both [parties] but I just love watching Marcus play, an academy boy, and the climate’s different now, so he might thrive in that.
“I hope he stays but I can understand if he doesn’t as well.”
‘Fresh start’ may lie ahead for Sancho
Jadon Sancho is another winger out of the first-team picture at parent club United, with the 25-year-old having gone through a cycle of loans since 2024, first at his former club Borussia Dortmund, then Chelsea and currently at Aston Villa.
Sancho, who told TNT Sports recently of his returning “confidence and belief” at Villa, is out of contract in the summer, and will either sign a new deal at United under a new manager, or leave as a free agent, with Villa and a host of Turkish clubs said to be interested.
Jadon Sancho following Manchester United’s 2024 FA Community Shield loss to Manchester City
Image credit: Getty Images
Hargreaves senses it could be the latter for Sancho, who joined United back in 2021 for £73 million.
“We saw so much talent from Sancho at Borussia Dortmund,” he said.
“I don’t think he’ll stay at Man Utd; I think he’ll probably go. Obviously, he hasn’t played that much. He’s played a little bit more at Aston Villa this season.
“I think he’ll probably look for a fresh start somewhere.”
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