1

Legendary Manchester United defender Steve Bruce has insisted that caretaker boss Michael Carrick has already solved the biggest challenge of being in charge of the team.

In the running

Carrick is enjoying a fine start to life in the United dugout since he was named Ruben Amorim’s temporary replacement in December last year.

He has taken charge of eight games, winning six, drawing one and losing one. His only defeat came in last week’s 2-1 humbling to Newcastle at St James’ Park.

At present, United sit in third place in the Premier League table, nine points adrift of Manchester City in second and level with Aston Villa in fourth.

Yet, despite the transformation he has overseen, Carrick does not appear to be nailed on for the permanent role. United insist that they will conduct a thorough appointment process as opposed to making knee-jerk reactions. Several former players, including Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Owen Hargreaves, have all called for Carrick to be handed the position if he delivers Champions League football.

Then there’s the other camp: Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, who seem dead set against Carrick getting the job.

As the...