David Beckham reveals surprise over Michael Carrick at Manchester United

Manchester United legend David Beckham feels Michael Carrick has done an ‘incredible’ job as interim manager and arguably better than any boss has done for a decade at Old Trafford.

Carrick took charge in January for the rest of the season, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim and the brief caretaker stint of Darren Fletcher.

It has gone very well for the Red Devils under his stewardship, with seven wins, two draws and just one defeat in his 10 games in charge.

A return to the Champions League next season looked like an optimistic goal but now it appears nailed on, with Carrick’s side sitting third in the Premier League, six points clear of Liverpool in fifth.

No decision has been made on whether Carrick will be handed the job on a permanent basis, but his work so far has certainly made him a candidate for the role.

Beckham feels his former England teammate has a lot of the right qualities for the job, although didn’t quite go as far as backing him to still be in charge next season.

Asked if he surprised by the results Carrick has pulled off so far, Beckham told TalkSPORT: ‘Yeah, I must admit, the last few months have been a lot more comfortable than the last 10 years, to be honest. It’s been tough over that time

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‘But I think Michael’s got experience. I think he’s got a calmness about him that he’s brought into the club. He knows the club. He knows the players. He knows the way Man United play and the way Man United should play.

‘And I’ve always liked Michael as a coach. When you look at him, there’s a calmness. There’s, on the side of the pitch, there’s, I don’t want to say elegance because I’m not sure that’s the right thing to say, but there’s an elegance in the way he is, whether it’s the way he celebrates, whether it’s the way he gets angry.

‘You know, all of those things are important in a manager. And I think that the way he’s got the team and brought the team together has been, has been incredible. And I think as a United fan, it’s exactly what we needed.’

Carrick’s future has split opinion from the start of his stint in charge, with the likes of Gary Neville and Roy Keane dismissing his chances of staying on permanently from the off.

However, Michael Owen is in the opposite camp, feeling Manchester United have to let Carrick try to continue the good work he has done so far.

‘It’s not like this is the biggest decision ever. He’s doing well, why not just let it continue?’ Owen told the Manchester Evening News, via Casino.org. ‘This is absolutely unbelievable what we’re seeing from Manchester United. I mean if the league started when Carrick took over, Manchester United at the top of the league.

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‘I mean, what on Earth? Why on Earth is this even a question? I don’t get it. I’m astounded by certain people saying “No, no, no, they shouldn’t appoint him”, astounded.

‘I’m not saying yeah go and give him a 10-year contract, everything’s perfect. But bloody hell, what more can he do? You’ve just got to let this roll. You’ve got to let it roll.’

Another former teammate of Carrick, Wayne Rooney, feels there should be no doubt over whether he gets the job permanently.

‘100% he should [get the job]. I have said this. I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick,’ Rooney told the BBC.

‘I know him very well. I know his character, his personality. It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love, and he has given them that.

‘We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. For me, why would you change?’

With no European football this campaign and early exits from the domestic cups, Carrick has been able to focus solely on Premier League action, which has been a help.

With the FA Cup quarter-finals played next weekend, the Red Devils are not back in action until April 13 at home against Leeds United.

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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/03/29/david-beckham-reveals-surprise-over-michael-carrick-at-manchester-united-27739372/