Michael Carrick said he feels “pretty natural” in his role as Manchester United head coach after guiding the club into Champions League qualification for next season.
United’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool on Sunday lifted them to 64 points and guaranteed a top-five finish, securing a return to UEFA’s elite competition.
Kobbie Mainoo, who recently committed to a new five-year deal at Old Trafford, scored the decisive goal, putting United 12 points ahead of sixth-placed Bournemouth with three matches remaining.
The turnaround under Carrick, who took over from Ruben Amorim in January, has been remarkable, with United collecting more Premier League points than any other side since his appointment (32).
“I love doing what I’m doing, and it’s a great position for me to be in,” Carrick said.
“It feels pretty natural if I’m totally honest. I’m not being blase because it’s a difficult role, but it feels that I’ve been here a long time.
“I kind of understand what it brings, and to be sat in this position is a good position.”
Under Carrick’s leadership (including a spell in 2021), United have won eight of their nine home league matches, losing just one.
He has become only the sixth manager—and the first English manager—to win at least eight of his opening nine home Premier League games, a feat not achieved since Antonio Conte’s 2016–17 run (8 wins from 9).
Carrick is widely considered the leading candidate for the permanent role at the end of the season, having initially signed only a short-term deal upon his return to Old Trafford.
“When we came in, I think Champions League, to be honest, was a little bit in the distance,” he added.
“To be where we are with three games to go, there’s a lot of satisfaction that comes with that, but that can’t be everything.”