Michael Carrick says Manchester United cannot make a “knee-jerk” decision about their long-term future on the back of him winning his first three matches as head coach.
The Red Devils turned to their former midfielder, captain and coach on a deal until the end of the campaign after Ruben Amorim’s patchy 14-month reign came to an acrimonious end in early January.
Carrick has rejuvenated United since taking over as head coach three weeks ago, with wins against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham propelling the side up to fourth in the Premier League.
Next up is an Old Trafford clash with his former club Tottenham on Saturday. The 44-year-old says he would not get carried away if they won again – and nor does he believe the club would.
“Nothing’s changed, no, to be honest,” said Carrick – nominated for January’s Premier League Manager of the Month award.
“It’s not going to change what I do, or how I feel about it. I think I’m fully aware of the role I’m doing here and the responsibility I’ve got.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
“We want to be successful. I want the club to be successful beyond the end of the season. If that’s me, if that’s somebody else at this stage, I can’t control that and we’ll see what happens.
“But it’s certainly about trying to improve the team and keep making Manchester United stronger and improving all the time. But nothing’s changed. The results over a short period of time don’t change that.
“If they have changed that, there’s something wrong. It can’t be so knee-jerk either way, whether it’s really good or whether there are a few issues we need to solve. It’s steady progress, really.
“You know that football can twist and turn just as quick, so we have got to keep it a bit level, really, and keep focusing on what we need to do.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Carrick was chosen to take charge for the remainder of the season after United also spoke to former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils decided to bring in a coach with an understanding of the club to smooth the transition into a short-term role, allowing director of football Jason Wilcox time to undergo a thorough recruitment process.
Put to Carrick that he will surely be happy to be part of that conversation if his success continues, the head coach said: “I’m loving what I’m doing. I’m here, you know.
“I feel at home here but I fully understand the situation, so I’m not getting too carried away.”
Carrick’s only focus right now is United’s upcoming matches, with Saturday’s match against Tottenham followed by facing another of his former clubs on Tuesday – West Ham, away.
Merse on what Carrick needs to do to stay as Man Utd boss
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson on Premier League Friday:
“What he needs – and it probably wouldn’t help him – is to win five or six on the trot, then lose three or four on the trot, and then how do you respond?
“People will say he should never be Man Utd coach. But when you lose those three or four games and the scrutiny comes on you at the biggest club in the world, how are you going to cope?
“We saw it with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he came in, was at the wheel – but then you see pictures of him at Watford away when they got destroyed and he looked lost.
“Carrick probably needs to lose three or four on the trot, then win five on the trot and everybody will go: that’s a good manager. He’s turned it around when the pressure was on. That’s the only way you’re ever going to know how good he is.”
