United star expects Ineos to “get it right” as he backs 44-yo tactical genius for permanent head coach role – report

Summer 2026 will be key to Manchester United’s rebuild. INEOS will be looking to make the signings that will finally have them competing on multiple fronts. Yet it is not just about quality additions; the United hierarchy must also appoint the perfect head coach to lead the project. As per MEN, the race to succeed Ruben Amorim has narrowed to three candidates: Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and Michael Carrick. State of play A report relayed by The Peoples Person this week confirmed that the Red Devils “have still not made contact with any potential candidates for the head coach role.” Maguire throws weight behind Carrick for permanent role For many, that revelation represents a boost to Carrick‘s chances. And whilst plenty are now warming to the idea of the former midfielder landing the job, Harry Maguire has hinted he is on the Carrick bandwagon. Speaking to Sky Sports News, where he touched on a number of topics, the defender also weighed in on the head coach chase, backing Carrick whilst sharing his expectations for the summer transfer window. Maguire said: “We’ve got to finish strong, and I think [Carrick] should go right into the mix of the other candidates [for the permanent job] and let the process begin. “I’m sure it will do, and I’m sure it’s going to be a thorough process. It’s going to be a big summer. We need bodies in, bodies to help the squad. We know that. “We need improvement in the squad. It’s going to be a big recruitment in the management department, and I’m sure that the hierarchy will get it right.” Carrick has impressed Before Carrick stepped into the caretaker role, few would have imagined he would perform so wonderfully well that he would emerge as the favourite for the permanent position. In fact, many felt that even considering him risked repeating the situation with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was also promoted from interim to permanent manager after initial success. Solskjaer, after all, impressed during his interim spell, earned the job on merit, yet it eventually became clear he was not the man to restore glory to the Theatre of Dreams. Despite the Solskjaer déjà vu, the 44-year-old’s performance has made him difficult to overlook for the permanent role. Since Carrick took charge, United have been one of the most in-form sides in the Premier League. In his 10 games at the helm, they have accumulated 23 points, with seven wins and two draws. A side that under Amorim could only have hoped to secure Champions League football now carries, per Opta, an 85.57 per cent probability of returning to Europe’s elite competition. If United, who head to a training camp in Ireland in early April, can maintain their momentum across the final seven games and secure a Champions League spot with quality performances, it will be very hard to overlook Carrick for the role. Perhaps, then, the wise move is to hand him the job and back him with the quality additions this squad so desperately needs. Hopefully, come next season, if entrusted with the job, he will carry on the fine work he has been doing at Old Trafford. Featured image Alex Livesey 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 Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.