“The best interview”: United great backs Michael Carrick to achieve the unthinkable this season – exclusive

Former Manchester United defender Mikaël Silvestre believes Michael Carrick has already shown the qualities needed to succeed as a manager, following an impressive result against Manchester City this weekend that was not just about the scoreline but the performance and tactical approach behind it. Silvestre was speaking to The Peoples Person in an exclusive interview hosted by Esports Insider. Asked about Carrick, Silvestre drew on his experience of playing alongside the former midfielder at Old Trafford, offering insight into what fans can expect from him in the dugout. Calm authority “He was the same then as he is now when he speaks to the media or to players — very calm,” Silvestre explained. “He’s a calm person, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s always nice. He’s very structured and shows a lot of composure.” Silvestre described Carrick as “very easygoing” and “laid back” in the dressing room, traits that have clearly translated into his managerial style. The former France international believes that Carrick’s calm authority could be a major asset when stepping into the hot seat at Old Trafford. Asked whether Carrick has a genuine chance of securing the job on a permanent basis, Silvestre was unequivocal. “He’s got a chance. As soon as anyone takes charge of the first team and has 90 minutes as head coach, they have a chance,” he said. “It’s the best interview you can give. You can talk all you want about tactics, philosophy, and how you want to set up the team, but there’s no better way than preparing the team, going out on the pitch, and seeing the result and the performance.” Silvestre also believes the wider context of the Premier League season works in United’s favour, identifying a realistic opportunity to finish in the top four. “I didn’t think it was possible at the beginning of the season, to be honest,” he admitted. “But Liverpool have dropped off, Chelsea have been inconsistent, and while Villa are in there, they don’t have the same squad depth or quality. There’s room for United to finish in the top four — and that’s the objective.” According to Silvestre, meeting that target should be decisive for the Wallsend man. In the box seat “If he does that, then yes — he should be given more time,” he said. When asked who he would like to see appointed as the club’s next permanent manager, Silvestre suggested that INEOS may have already found their man. “I didn’t look beyond Michael,” he said. “I think he deserves the time to show what he can do. And why not give him the job permanently if he reaches the objective?” The second part of our exclusive interview with Mikaël Silvestre will be published tomorrow (Tuesday). Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.