JAKARTA - Whatever happens at Manchester United this summer, Michael Carrick can feel happy because he has done everything he can to get the job as a manager permanently.
The Red Devils minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and Football Director Jason Wilcox are considering carefully before deciding who will be in charge next season.
As Carrick has previously said, it is not his decision. However, after overseeing a ninth win from 13 games as interim manager to take Manchester United to the brink of a return to the Champions League, he has made his case convincingly.
The 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, early morning WIB, showed the best and worst of this team - a positive attacking football mixed with openness at the back.
However, whatever the opinion on the style of play against Brentford, there is no denying Carrick's overall record since taking over in January 2026.
Manchester United have collected 29 points out of a possible 39 to rise from seventh in the English League standings to third. They only need two more points from the remaining four games to guarantee qualification for next season's Champions League.
Then, whether Carrick will continue his work at Old Trafford, it all depends on Ratcliffe, Berrada, and Wilcox.
"We have given ourselves a great opportunity (to reach the Champions League). These last two results are very important for that. This is a very crucial moment in the season. Winning again is a good habit that must be accustomed to, but this is important for us."
"The Champions League is not something we should celebrate excessively. That's one thing, we need to try and achieve it, but there's still a lot of work to do," said Carrick.
The question is whether Carrick will get the chance to finish what he has started. As important as it is for Manchester United to get the right man to lead, the club's hierarchy also face a crucial decision on the squad - particularly in midfield.
Against Brentford, captain Bruno Fernandes showed why it is so important for him to stay. Casemiro showed why he would be so difficult to replace, and Kobbie Mainoo showed why it is so important that any new player does not hinder his development.
Mainoo passed three Brentford defenders in the third minute to create a golden opportunity for Amad Diallo. Unfortunately, the Ivorian should have done more than just kick the ball towards Brentford's central defender, Sepp van den Berg, right on the goal line.
Carrick said after the game that Mainoo had shown a little bit of everything.
"I think his game is building his attack, his mastery of the ball, his creativity to start attacks, he's very effective in that, but especially in one-on-one duels, and tackles from behind," Carrick said.
Although Amad failed to score early in the match, Manchester United did not have to wait long to score. Just 11 minutes into the match, Casemiro headed the ball and scored his 20th goal of the season.
It will take a lot of money to find a midfielder who can fill the void left by the Brazilian when he leaves next month.
"Praise for him, he gave everything," said Carrick, who dismissed suggestions there may have been a change of heart in the final minutes about his future.
Whatever the cost of replacing Casemiro, it will take a much bigger fee to find another Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder is close to the record for most assists in a single season in the English League when he scored his 19th assist this season with a timely pass to Benjamin Sesko which made the score 2-0 just before the first half break.
There was interest in Fernandes in the summer, as when he almost moved to Al-Hilal a year ago, but Manchester United needed him to stay, both for his leadership and experience and his creativity.
"Whether it's creating chances, scoring goals, or having another influence on the team, he's had a great season."
"He won't be able to get away from that. It was another good performance from him tonight," Carrick said.
Carrick showed his tactical flexibility after the break, fending off Brentford's attacking threat by replacing Amad with Noussair Mazraoui and switching to a three-back formation.
It's a different story with the last permanent manager, Ruben Amorim, who has a structure that is too rigid, a charge often leveled at him. Wilcox, who sat in the stands next to Berrada, must have noticed the difference.
Manchester United controlled the game more after the break. Only in the 87th minute, Mathias Jensen from Brentford fired from outside the penalty area to create a tense end to the match.
After successfully maintaining the lead to grab the full three points, The Red Devils ensured they did not have to experience a worrying end to the season.
It would take a miracle to knock Manchester United out of the Champions League zone. Defeating Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, May 3, 2026, mathematically guarantees Europe's ticket for next season.
After officially crossing the finish line, Carrick's future will be determined. Will everything he has done be enough to get the chance to occupy the position permanently? It's worth looking forward to.
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