05/05/2026

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TUESDAY | MAY 5, 2026

Malaysian Paper

M ICHAEL CARRICK said he feels like a “natural” in the pressurised role as Manchester United man ager after securing a return to the Champions League next season. United beat Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday to guarantee a top-five finish in the Premier League with three games to spare. Securing Champions League foot ball for the first time in three seasons was Carrick’s primary goal when he was appointed in January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim. The former United midfielder had previous experience on the coaching staff at Old Trafford and from a three game interim reign in 2021, but his only previous managerial role came at sec ond tier Middlesbrough. “I love doing what I’m doing and it’s a great position for me to be in,” said Carrick. “It feels pretty natural if I’m totally honest. I’m not being blase because it’s a difficult role, but it feels that I’ve been here a long time. “I kind of understand what it brings, and to be sat in this position is a good position.” Carrick is now the frontrunner to land the job on a permanent basis, although United have also been linked to outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. The riches of a return to Europe’s elite competition will help whoever is in charge to strengthen the United squad in the transfer market. However, Carrick said the club must be aiming even higher after 13 years without winning the Premier League. “When we came in, I think Champions League, to be honest, was a little bit in the distance,” he added. “To be where we are with three games to go, there’s a lot of satisfaction that comes with that, but that can’t be everything. “One of the biggest things for me is trying to get the best out of players, helping people and letting them go out and perform. Then there is seeing this place alive and bouncing. “The players need a lot of credit for the run we have put together and also the coaching staff. There is a lot of good work beyond me. “The pleasing thing to see is the spirit and the camaraderie of the group, which you could see at 2-2, when they

The ‘natural’ Carrick now surely certain for permanent job at Old Trafford after United beat Liverpool

were sticking in and fighting for each other. “We want a team to be proud. It (the Champions League) is a huge step for so many reasons and I am not under playing that. “But it can’t be everything. We expect more of that consistently. That is the message – let’s kick on.” Carrick’s side got off to the perfect start thanks to Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha’s goals before Liverpool turned the tide in the second half to draw level through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo. But the derby was won by one of Manchester’s own – Kobbie Mainoo – who drilled home the winner to com pleted a double over Liverpool and give United further reasons to appoint Carrick. Mainoo has become the poster boy for the club. That is amazing because he had a request to join Napoli on loan turned down last year, did not start a League game for the first five months of the season and was preparing for tough discussions over his future in January before Ruben Amorim got the boot. Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards told BBC Sport : “Watching him play, you really can see the difference that Carrick has made, in terms of the previous manager not believing in him, and then the new manager coming in and giving him so much confidence. You can see that self belief in his performances.” An 11th League defeat of the season leaves Liverpool with work to do if they are to secure Champions League quali fication. The depleted Reds were shorn of Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in attack. Arne Slot said his side’s second half performance showed they were capa ble of getting a result despite their absentees and he was frustrated by a lack of concentration in the lead up to United’s winner. “As always, one moment of switch ing off immediately leads to us conced ing a goal,” said Slot, whose own job is under scrutiny just a year on from win ning the League. “So many times this season it was waiting for us to score one and then we conceded because we switched off for one or two seconds in a crucial moment.” – AFP/The Independent/ Agencies

Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko (top left), Matheus Cunha (top right) and Kobbie Mainoo (left) celebrate after Michael Carrick’s Red Devils secured Champions League football for the first time in three seasons in a 3-2 win against arch rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. – AFPPIC/REUTERSPIC

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