LONDON: Jamie Carragher has claimed that Michael Carrick lacks the ‘star’ level ‘touch’ to return Manchester United to the pinnacle of football.
Carrick, 45, was given the permanent job at Old Trafford in the summer after impressive performances during his time as caretaker manager following the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January.
The former United midfielder led the Red Devils to wins over Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool to help them finish the season in third place, returning the club to the Champions League after two seasons without competition.
Carrick’s strong start as United manager has sparked a wave of confidence among supporters that he can guide the club to a first league title since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
However, Liverpool legend Carragher urged all parties to be cautious ahead of the 2026-27 English Premier League (EPL) season.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be bad. What Manchester United have been through in the last six months, they need to continue that for another 12 months by not being a club full of controversy, not being in the news all the time and Carrick takes you in that direction,” he said on ‘The Overlap Fan Debate’ hosted by Sky Bet.
“But does he have the stardust to win the biggest trophies? I think you need to be in a strong position to be a real Champions League club again.
“Then what do we need? It’s like a player takes you to a certain level, then we need that ‘stardust’. Personally, I just don’t think Michael Carrick has it as a manager to win the Champions League or the Premier League.
“I don’t believe Michael Carrick will win the league or the Champions League with Manchester United, but he’s done a very good job.
“He could have a good season and put Manchester United in a position to get a manager who has won the Champions League.”
Carrick is looking to strengthen his squad in the summer transfer market with midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans arriving from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.
However, Carragher believes United missed an opportunity by not signing former West Ham star Mateus Fernandes after the club were reluctant to accept the asking price of 85 million pounds sterling, with the midfielder later joining Spurs.
“I was a bit worried when I saw United being linked with Fernandes because I thought he could be a good signing,” he said.
“I looked at his age and ability and was surprised United didn’t get him. They said he was too expensive but was he really too expensive?
“I know £85 million is a big amount, but you’re not going to get a really top-class midfielder these days for £50 million.”
Meanwhile, United legend Paul Scholes believes the defensive department remains a problem, with United yet to bring in any new players in that position.
“Central defence is still a problem,” he said. “Manchester United still need a better central defence, the players we have now don’t have the quality, at the level I expect from Manchester United, to continue to win the Premier League.
“You need a centre-back who can be trusted every week. They have Maguire who is starting to have some minor (injury) problems, Lisandro Martinez is not able to stay fit now. When he is fit, he is a good player, don’t get me wrong.
“They have Leny Yoro who has struggled for the last two years, it seems the (Premier League) level is above his ability and (hopefully) he can improve this season.”