Has Michael Carrick done enough to warrant full-time Manchester United job after Man City and Arsenal wins?

In the last two weeks, Manchester United have looked like the confident teams of old once more, and interim head coach Michael Carrick has been key to that.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford in the last two years has otherwise been gloomy, particularly during Erik ten Hag’s last days and Ruben Amorim’s controversial 14 months in charge of the club.

Following his appointment, several sceptics had questioned Carrick’s credentials, and were even more critical of his choice of backroom staff.

Former United captain Roy Keane was among his biggest doubters:

“You're on about getting your coaching staff in, you're praising one of them saying he's experienced and then we just let the other two go, Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans,” Keane said on The Overlap

“ What has Jonny Evans done to be a coach of Man United's first team? He left the job four weeks ago - loans manager and ironically comes back working with the first team. That's a big step up isn't it?”

Well, the results so far have proven the “step up” has not been too steep for the United technical team.

Carrick’s men beat Man City 2-0 in a clash that would otherwise have seen them score more goals, before dismantling Arsenal 3-2.

The Englishman has resorted to utilising his players to their strengths in a disciplined 4-2-3-1 setup.

Patrick Dorgu was considered an average wingback under Amorim, but now looks reborn in a left wing role, scoring two in the last two games.

Bryan Mbeumo looks lethal as a center forward playing on the shoulder of the last defender who instinctively capitalises on mistakes by opponents. He scored his 50th Premier League goal against Arsenal, helping his side secure three precious points.

Carrick has also given naturally expressive players like Matheus Cunha license to produce moments of magic. His 87th-minute winner, a screamer from 30-yards, effectively blew the title race wide open.

Is this enough to warrant the job on a full-time basis? Well, let us look at the underlying numbers for more information.

United now sit fourth in the Premier League, leapfrogging Liverpool and Chelsea. Under Amorim, they collected just four points from a possible 12 in his last month in charge. Carrick has already delivered maximum points in his first two games.

His side also scored five goals against the top two Premier League teams, compared to none under Amorim. They also registered their first win over Arsenal since 2021.

Manchester United have been famed for bringing through youth players from the academy into the first team set up since the days of Sir Matt Busby. Amorim was not a big enthusiast of this, as shown in his treatment of Kobbie Mainoo.

However, Carrick has already shown his willingness to give youth a chance. Within hours of his appointment, he spent hours at Leigh Sports Village watching the U21s.

Mainoo is already a key player once more. He is giving United press resistance from deep and controlling the tempo, with Casemiro there to provide steel and positional awareness defensively.

Two games may not be enough to show Carrick is ready. He has been in charge of the team against the top two sides in England at the moment.

United have tended to struggle against teams that sit back. It may be worth observing them for a fair few more games to draw concrete conclusions.

Keane doubled down on his stance during his post-match analysis of the game for Sky Sports:

“I think if United win every game from now until the end of the season, I still wouldn’t be giving him the job. I just think they need a bigger, more experienced manager. Simple as that.

“Carrick could win every game. The timing coming into the job was fantastic for him and he’s said it there, he’s enjoying it.

“You enjoy management when you’re winning football matches, of course, but I think the size of the club and the challenges they face over the next few years… you want a manager you feel will come in and get Manchester United winning league titles.

“Are we all going to sit here and think Michael Carrick will get Manchester United winning league titles? If you think on the back of two wins that he warrants the job then that’s your opinion and I’m entitled to mine.

“I don’t believe he’s the man to get Manchester United back winning league titles.”

Carrick’s men still have a long way to go, and Keane may have a point. United have plummeted on and off the pitch over the past two years.

However, the former Tottenham Hotspur man, who won five league titles with United during his playing days, can show he deserves a shout for the permanent gig. He can prove he can be the man to return the side to the great heights of the past.

Destiny is in his hands with 15 league games remaining.