Man Utd in Michael Carrick predicament as club chiefs are told there's only one man to look at

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Despite Michael Carrick 's impressive record thus far as interim Manchester United boss, Joleon Lescott reckons the club has one obvious pick to replace him this summer. More precisely, he's proposed the club must bring in Luis Enrique as manager should he become obtainable.

The Paris Saint-Germain chief has been mentioned as a contender for the United position for several years. Speculation about a switch to Old Trafford has intensified as the Red Devils set about naming their next permanent boss, and Lescott feels the former Barcelona strategist would be impossible to reject.

"I think that they have to give him [Carrick] the job. [Because] of the results, the impact he's made, the feel of it, the calmness he brings," said two-time Premier League winner Lescott on the latest instalment of the All Out Football podcast. "I think that's him as a person.

"Even after the [ Newcastle ] defeat, it wasn't the end of the world . I remember [United] winning games in a row, and they were still waiting for something to go wrong, whereas it doesn't feel like that [under Carrick], it's like, 'Something's gone wrong...okay, we'll just reset and we'll go again'.

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"So he's definitely created that. But yeah, I think [Enrique] is the only manager they should look at. And I don't mean that in a disrespectful way to Michael Carrick. It's like if you've got [Bukayo] Saka, if Lamine Yamal is available, you'd still sign him, do you know what I mean? I'm not saying you're playing him ahead of him, but you still sign him, don't you?"

Carrick has transformed United and propelled the club to third in the Premier League. He's secured six victories and suffered just one defeat from his eight matches in charge so far, prompting discussion among supporters in regards to whether he merits the appointment permanently.

Nevertheless, former Manchester City star Lescott adopted a somewhat less sentimental stance on the issue and proposed Enrique's credentials make him the superior choice. The 55-year-old has claimed multiple major honours with Barcelona and PSG , including Champions League crowns with both club.

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When questioned whether United should pursue Enrique as manager should he become available, Lescott responded: "Yes, because I think he's more capable of winning them things. I'm not saying Michael Carrick can't, but if title contenders, and then you're looking at the manager factor, like as great as Man City's squad is, if Pep [Guardiola] isn't the manager, they're not as strong contenders.

"And I think Enrique has that factor...well, he definitely does because he's won [so much]. So that's the thing I'm looking at. I'm saying if Michael Carrick can definitely compete and be a title contender, but they're stronger if it's Enrique [in charge]."

It's hard to predict just how far United could go under Carrick's leadership. The ex-Middlesbrough boss is still only at the start of his managerial journey but has so far ticked all the right boxes since stepping in as United's interim manager.

Club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer experienced a similar honeymoon phase when he was initially appointed as interim coach. However, the early momentum he gained eventually faded before the club decided to part ways with the Norwegian.

Enrique, meanwhile, doesn't share the same bond with United but has a proven track record of success at some of Europe's top clubs. Regardless, just last month Enrique reiterated his commitment to PSG , indicating he's not planning on leaving anytime soon.