Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has made a bold prediction regarding the future of interim manager Michael Carrick, stating that the club would be compelled to offer him the permanent role if he achieves a specific target in the coming weeks.
The Ten-Win Benchmark
Speaking on his popular Fozcast podcast, Foster asserted that if Carrick can guide Manchester United to victory in ten of their remaining fifteen Premier League fixtures this season, the hierarchy at Old Trafford would have little alternative but to install him as the full-time manager. This would represent a significant achievement, requiring the team to win approximately two-thirds of their upcoming matches.
Impressive Start Under Carrick
Carrick, the former United midfielder and ex-Middlesbrough boss, has made a highly promising start since taking temporary charge following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. His tenure began with notable back-to-back victories against arch-rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, instantly lifting morale around the club and sparking debate about his long-term suitability for the role.
His current contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, but speculation is already mounting that a sustained run of positive results could see that deal extended on a permanent basis.
A Word of Caution from a Club Legend
However, not everyone at the club is convinced that making Carrick's appointment permanent would be the correct decision. United icon Paul Scholes has injected a note of caution, suggesting that the club's experience with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might make officials hesitant.
Scholes, speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, explained that the dynamic changes dramatically when an interim manager is handed the job full-time. "Once you take that job full-time, at the start of the season next year, let's say, all of a sudden you've got to be winning games straightaway," he said.
He believes the club remains "scarred" by the Solskjaer saga, where the Norwegian's successful caretaker spell led to a permanent appointment that ultimately did not meet long-term expectations. "If the Ole thing hadn't have happened then it would probably be more likely," Scholes added, referring to Carrick's chances.
Foster's Analysis of the Current Dynamic
Ben Foster acknowledged these concerns, recognising the potential parallels with the Solskjaer situation. He noted that the current "friendly" and lower-pressure environment for Carrick as an interim boss could shift if he were given the job permanently.
"I would worry that if it goes full time, then that changes that dynamic a little bit. We've seen it before with plenty of teams, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer," Foster stated. Despite this, he was emphatic about the results-based argument: "What a start and he's got 15 games left for Manchester United now. If he wins ten of those 15 games, you've got to give him the job."
Foster also praised Carrick for his man-management, suggesting the new boss has helped "ease the burden" on the players' shoulders, creating a more positive atmosphere within the squad.
The Road Ahead
The immediate focus for Carrick and his team is their next Premier League encounter. Manchester United are scheduled to host Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, 1st February. A victory in that match would see United secure three consecutive wins for only the second time this season, providing further momentum to Carrick's compelling case for the permanent manager's position.
Whether Michael Carrick can meet the ten-win challenge set out by Ben Foster remains to be seen, but his initial impact has undoubtedly made him a serious contender, ensuring that his every move will be scrutinised in the weeks ahead.
