Michael Carrick: Would it be a gamble for Manchester United not to appoint him full-time?

Six wins and a draw from his seven games in charge means seven and two overall for Crick, who beat Arsenal and drew with Chelsea in the Premier League during his first spell as caretaker manager following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021.

This equals the combined best return from his first nine games as a manager of anyone in the history of the competition.

Ange Postecoglou had that record alone, but the way the Australian coach has gone at Tottenham highlights that there is not much to be read into at the current level.

But the constant singing of Carrick as he wandered onto the pitch with his players after the final whistle, which Luke Shaw missed after being substituted at half-time due to illness, suggests fans have already made their judgement.

However, United’s influencers may be wary of moving too quickly by setting a permanent appointment.

Seven years ago, Carrick was part of Solskjaer’s backroom as the Norwegian began his caretaker spell with eight successive wins in all competitions and claimed 32 points from a possible 36, then finished the season with eight from eight matches after his appointment was confirmed.

But, with Thomas Tuchel already extending his contract with England and Carlo Ancelotti about to join Brazil, provided Carrick can navigate the club’s journey back to the Champions League, we have already reached the point where not handing him the job permanently may seem like a gamble.

He is beginning to feel more of a risk to appoint Glasner – despite his Europa League and FA Cup victories – when he leaves Palace at the end of the season.

Or Roberto De Zerbi, who is undoubtedly playing excellent football – or any of the other candidates, rather than sticking with someone who does his job in a calm and uncomplicated way while decisively handling the constantly trained spotlight at Old Trafford.

Instinctively, Carrick is uncomfortable talking about his role in United’s progress. Answers tend to start with “we” rather than “I.”

However, the 44-year-old was willing to admit that the echo of his song at Old Trafford was a great feeling.

He added: “This place means a lot to me, so to have a lot of positivity, as everyone enjoys coming to the matches and obviously for me to have an impact on that, of course it feels good, I’m not going to lie.”

“The players should take a lot of credit for that in terms of what they bring on the pitch.

“It’s definitely not just me, but I think the connection with the fans is huge and to feel that and have them stay with us, even after that start, and to finish like that, means a lot, yeah.”