Manchester United have been warned that Michael Carrick could face a similar fate to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a permanent appointment. The former midfielder replaced Ruben Amorim as head coach on a deal until the end of the season and has been impressive in the role. Carrick has made a hugely positive impression as United head coachGetty Carrick has won ten of his 15 matches in charge and, as talkSPORT reported earlier this week, is close to becoming the permanent boss. United are yet to offer him any assurances, but are aware that he has the backing of the dressing room. Sources close to Carrick, who guided the club to Champions League qualification, expect formal discussions to begin imminently. However, Jason Cundy does not believe that he is the right man for role long-term despite his accomplishments this season. He cited Solskjaer, who Carrick replaced as caretaker manager in 2021, as a cautionary tale of how initial success could cloud their judgement. Solskjaer took the permanent job in 2019 after winning 14 of his 19 matches as caretaker, but left two years later with the club seventh. “I can see both sides, and I am so torn on this,” Cundy said on the GameDay Phone-In for talkSPORT after their 0-0 draw at Sunderland. “The reason I’m torn on this is, has Carrick come into Man United and done a good job? Results wise, yes… I’ve seen performances, they’re unconvincing.” Cundy then delivered a passionate explanation as to why he may be sceptical of Carrick’s ability to take on the permanent job, saying: “They’ve had half a season off! “Honestly, you’re all dancing around the elephant in the room. The elephant in the room is that Manchester United, and Carrick has come in, he has had to deal with just one game a week. Cundy has his reservations about Carrick being in the job beyond the summerGetty “You are crazy if you don’t have that conversation with yourself, I think if you just go (on about) how well he’s done, (that) they’re six points off (Manchester) City… “But here’s the thing, City have won the Carabao Cup, City have been in Europe, City have got the FA Cup (final) coming up.” “Why are we talking about City?” Jamie O’Hara asked, and Cundy said: “Because you said they’re six points off City… City will probably play more games this calendar year than Man United will all season! “They’ve played 40 games, it’s a travesty! If you really want to say how well he’s done and blow smoke up his backside, fine. “But when you look at the bigger picture… Bruno (Fernandes) has had half a season off, all the Man United players have had half a season off, they all have. “Man City players haven’t, Arsenal players haven’t, Chelsea players haven’t… we’re in an FA Cup final, we got to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, got to the knockout stages of the Champions League.” United have been tough to beat during Carrick’s reign His co-host Jamie O’Hara stressed that United weren’t in any extra competitions when Carrick took over, and that it’s not his fault. “Next season, when they’ve got the Champions League, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, then you judge him and say, ‘Is he good enough?'” Cundy responded: “Right, okay, but if you’re not prepared to take that into consideration now, what’s the point? “‘Look how well he’s done, look, he’s done this, he’s done that’. Fine, it’s not a Carabao Cup semi-final, it’s not an FA Cup final, Champions League.” “He hasn’t had the opportunity!” O’Hara cried, but Cundy insisted: “I know, but you’ve got to factor that into your answer. Every single Man United player has had half a season off, every single one!” O’Hara then asked Cundy if he would give Carrick the job, with the latter laid out his thoughts: “I think he’s going to get it. “I’m not convinced it’s the right answer, I think he’s going to get it by default, it’s almost like you can’t not give it to him now. “But I think they could be sleepwalking themselves into an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer situation… they could be, sleepwalking into a situation wh
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League 1 / 8
Premier League
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Arsenal ARS | 38 | 26 | 7 | 5 | 71 | 27 | 44 | 85 | WWWWW |
| 2 |  Manchester City MCI | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 77 | 35 | 42 | 78 | DWWDL |
| 3 |  Manchester United MUN | 38 | 20 | 11 | 7 | 69 | 50 | 19 | 71 | WWDWW |
| 4 |  Aston Villa AST | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 56 | 49 | 7 | 65 | LLDWW |
| 5 |  Liverpool LIV | 38 | 17 | 9 | 12 | 63 | 53 | 10 | 60 | WLDLD |
| 6 |  Bournemouth BOU | 38 | 13 | 18 | 7 | 58 | 54 | 4 | 57 | DWWDD |
| 7 |  Sunderland SUN | 38 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 42 | 48 | -6 | 54 | LDDWW |
| 8 |  Brighton BRI | 38 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 52 | 46 | 6 | 53 | WLWLL |
| 9 |  Brentford BRE | 38 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 55 | 52 | 3 | 53 | LWLDD |
| 10 |  Chelsea CHE | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 58 | 52 | 6 | 52 | LLDWL |
| 11 |  Fulham FUL | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 47 | 51 | -4 | 52 | WLLDW |
| 12 |  Newcastle NEW | 38 | 14 | 7 | 17 | 53 | 55 | -2 | 49 | LWDWL |
| 13 |  Everton EVE | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 47 | 50 | -3 | 49 | LDDLL |
| 14 |  Leeds LEE | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 49 | 56 | -7 | 47 | DWDWL |
| 15 |  Crystal Palace CRY | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 41 | 51 | -10 | 45 | LDLDL |
| 16 |  Nottingham Forest NOT | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 48 | 51 | -3 | 44 | WWDLD |
| 17 |  Tottenham TOT | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 48 | 57 | -9 | 41 | WWDLW |
| 18 |  West Ham WES | 38 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 46 | 65 | -19 | 39 | WLLLW |
| 19 |  Burnley BUR | 38 | 4 | 10 | 24 | 38 | 75 | -37 | 22 | LLDLD |
| 20 |  Wolves WOL | 38 | 3 | 11 | 24 | 27 | 68 | -41 | 20 | LDLDD |
