Michael Carrick bolsters case for promotion to full-time manager with Manchester United's win over Liverpool

Why Michael Carrick is deserving of promotion

Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim, whom Manchester United fired, in January. Since assuming the role, he has reinvigorated the club, posting a 10-2-2 record, helping the team secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

This surge has propelled the team back near the top of the Premier League table. It's now third behind Manchester City (21-7-5, 70 points) and Arsenal (23-7-5, 76 points). If it can stay in that spot for its remaining three matches, it would be the first time the team finished third or better in the Premier League since the 2022-23 season. Last season, the club ranked 15th in the Premier League.

Before the match on Sunday, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the league is now seeing "how good Manchester United really are," thanks to Carrick's takeover. 

"Last season, their players were better than their league position suggested," Slot said this past Friday, via Jack Flintham of the team website. 

"After another transfer window, we can see how good they really are," Slot continued. "It might be a bit of an advantage playing once a week, but as I said before, when analyzing them, I saw how good they are — and it's the same now. They're more consistent in the results."

Carrick is reportedly the favorite to become Manchester United's next manager, but the team is eyeing outgoing Bournemouth AFC manager Andoni Iraola as an alternative. That said, the Red Devils shouldn't spend much time in their managerial search when it looks like they already have the right man for the job.