Manchester United have been urged to overlook caretaker boss Michael Carrick and appoint a ‘better’ Champions League manager at the end of the season.

Carrick has emerged as a strong contender for the permanent Old Trafford job after overseeing an impressive resurgence since Ruben Amorim’s sacking.

The former United and England midfielder led Manchester United to wins over Arsenal and Manchester City, the two teams battling for the title, before also beating Fulham and Tottenham.

While his four-game winning run came to an end at West Ham, Benjamin Sesko’s injury-time equaliser ensured United remain unbeaten under Carrick and are still in the Champions League places.

Carrick’s return to Old Trafford was only expected to be temporary, with Manchester United planning to appoint Amorim’s permanent replacement in the summer.

But United’s impressive form under the ex-midfielder has led to calls for Carrick to be handed the reigns on a permanent basis come the end of the season.

Andy Townsend has been impressed by the job Carrick has done at Manchester United but believes the club should be looking for someone ‘better’, naming Diego Simeone as his top choice for the job.

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