Gary Neville spots what isn't right at Man Utd as Michael Carrick backed to take action

View 2 Images

Michael Carrick will know he needs a "couple more transfer windows" to get this Manchester United squad back competing for silverware and even the Premier League title. That is the view of Gary Neville , who insists Carrick will be aware of the improvements required within the United camp to elevate them to the next level.

Carrick, 44, has performed admirably since taking over from Ruben Amorim as United's interim head coach in mid-January. The former Middlesbrough manager has won nine and drawn two of his 13 fixtures in charge, collecting an impressive 29 points from a possible 39 on offer.

It's a run that has lifted United up to third in the Premier League table and the verge of securing a return to next season's Champions League . The Red Devils are 11 points above sixth-place Brighton with four fixtures remaining and need just one more victory to guarantee a place in Europe's premier club competition.

Despite the outstanding record Carrick has compiled during his spell back at Old Trafford, Neville is adamant that the former United midfielder will understand what the club must do in the summer transfer window. Speaking after United's 2-1 victory against Brentford, Neville told Sky Sports : "He [Carrick] said before the game, I heard him say in an interview with David Jones and Jamie Carragher , that he is influencing the decision-making in terms of the squad for next season.

"He thinks about the long-term future of the club, even if he is not here at the end of the season. He is more than likely to be [United manager next season], but if he is not, I think he'll think this needs a couple more transfer windows to get this squad to where I want it to.

"I see things in there which I would want better, there just is. There is some good bits, there is some lively play.

View 2 Images

"Casemiro is not going to be here one more year, there will need to be a new midfield built and the back line is still not right. So, there is some work to do and I think Michael Carrick will recognise that. But I think he will be happy with the job he is doing with this group of players right now."

Carrick stands as the leading contender to be appointed United's next permanent head coach ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Germany's Julian Nagelsmann and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner are amongst those touted as potential successors at Old Trafford.

Yet owing to United's impressive form since Carrick's return, he has firmly established himself as the prime candidate as the club gears up for a comeback to the Champions League for the first time since 2023.

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.