Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Endorses Michael Carrick as Potential Next Manager of Manchester United

Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has tipped Michael Carrick to become the club's next manager after Erik ten Hag departs.

Ten Hag was appointed as United boss last summer on a three-year deal, which can be extended by a further year.

The Dutchman has had a good start to life in Manchester, guiding his new club to winning the Carabao Cup. They are also in the FA Cup final, and are on course to finish in the top four places in this season's Premier League.

Ten Hag is, therefore, well on his way to achieving as much as perhaps could have been anticipated of his first season, even though success in the Europa League evaded United.

With a busy summer ahead, the Dutchman will look to improve his squad further and potentially challenge for the league title next season.

As is the case with any club, though, there will likely be a succession plan in place in case of Ten Hag leaving Old Trafford - although you would expect him to stay for many years to come.

And United chiefs will surely have been impressed with the work Carrick has done at Championship side Middlesbrough since taking over - in particular, the way in which the side plays. It hasn't gone unnoticed by Solskjaer either.

Speaking to The Athletic, former United boss Solskjaer says he is "100 per cent sure" that Carrick can take the top job at Old Trafford in the future if he wants to.

He explained: "He's a winner, a massive winner, yet he stays in control of his emotions. He knows what he wants and doesn't lose his rag. He'll never be emotional and fight with the players.

"He's knowledgable, he's hard-working. When I was at United in 2018, I have to say that Michael and Kieran [McKenna] were usually in the office before me. They were meticulous, looking at every detail.

"Michael has had to change a little bit since becoming a manager. He was maybe too into the details as a coach, but as a manager you have to take a step back and manage people.

"At United, I'd sometimes see Michael talk to the players. Some of these were ex-team-mates of his, which isn't easy, but he had an authority about him. I am 100 per cent sure that Michael will be the manager of Manchester United if he wants to be."

When Carrick was appointed at Middlesbrough, the side were 22nd in the Championship after a dismal start to the season under Chris Wilder.

But the ex-United captain presided over a climb up the table, and they eventually finished the season in fourth place, qualifying for the play-offs. Since he took over, Boro have picked up 59 points from just 31 games.

His style of play allows players to take risks with the ball, and involves wide players and full-backs having a key role.

He has also got the best of former Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom, who scored 28 goals in the regular season to win the Championship Golden Boot and earn himself the division's player of the season award.