Maguire makes plea to Man Utd board with verdict on Carrick and Amorim

Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as interim Manchester United boss in January and has overseen a dramatic upturn in form with calls for him to get the job permanently growing

Harry Maguire has given his full support to “amazing” Michael Carrick getting the Manchester United job on a permanent basis.

Carrick has sparked a remarkable turnaround in United’s fortunes since being installed as interim boss as they have won seven of his ten games which has pushed them towards Champions League qualification.

It is clear that former United star Carrick has strong backing from the dressing room with Maguire insisting it is down to the players to ensure they get into the top four and then trust the hierarchy to make the right decision.

Maguire is predicting another “big summer” in terms of recruitment but also says that Carrick deserves to be “right into the mix” when it comes to appointing the next manager.

United defender Maguire said: “Listen, Carrick coming in, he’s been amazing. He speaks really, really well. He's tactically very, very good.

“He's brought in some amazing staff. Steve Holland, amazing to bring his experience in and someone he can lean on.

“He's got Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans there helping the younger defenders at the club and all the defenders giving us tips.

“Listen, it's not up to us. I think there's seven games left. We've put ourselves in a great position. I think we've got to finish the season strong, and I think he should go right into the mix of the other candidates and let the process begin.

“I'm sure it will do and I'm sure it's going to be a thorough process, and it's going to be a big summer. We know that for Manchester United. We need bodies in, bodies to help the squad. We know that. We need improvement in the squad. We need more bodies. It's going to be a big recruitment in the management department, and I'm sure that the hierarchy will get it right.”

For all of his praise for the man currently in the United dugout, Maguire made sure to reserve some for whom he replace.

Ruben Amorim was sacked after just 14 turbulent months in charge and since then Michael Carrick has come in and led the club into third place and they are on course to make the Champions League.

But Maguire insists that Amorim helped put the club back on the right path and deserves credit for the turnaround in fortunes.

Maguire said: “I think Ruben was really good with me. I pretty much played every game under Ruben when I was fit.

“I don't really have much bad to say about Ruben. I really like Ruben, I think he's got great ideas. The ideas just didn't work at Manchester United.

“I do believe he'll go on and have an amazing career, and his next club he'll probably go and win many, many football matches.

“It just didn't click or work and I think us as players have got to take a lot of responsibility for that as well.

“But I think he has led the club in a direction, and I do think he deserves a lot of credit for that, where he's built a good, solid squad and I do believe that he deserves credit for that.”

Maguire revealed he did speak to Amorim after his departure and believes he will bounce back.

“I spoke to him when he left. He wished us all the best,” said Maguire. “I'm sure he would have been upset, but I know he's still really, really young and I'm sure he's going to go on to great things in management.”

Maguire has returned to his favoured role in a back four since Carrick took charge but says he did not mind playing in the back three… but claimed everyone assumed it was because he was getting too old.

He added: “Obviously Michael has come in and he’s changed the formation and playing in a back four … I personally prefer playing in a back four. The best part of my career has been playing in a back four.

“I played a couple of times under Gareth Southgate in a back five but that was only really the first tournament in Russia and then leading up the Euros, where I felt like I was in my so-called best years of my career, it was playing in a back four.

“When you’re playing a back five and you’re playing that middle one, automatically people think you’re a little bit older, can’t move as much. And you get protected. Which you do actually get protected!

“But I’ve always said I much prefer playing in a back four. I feel like I can play more aggressive, play more on the front foot and I feel like that’s a big part of my game.”

Despite Carrick’s impressive run which has guided United into third place, it is far from certain that he will become the next permanent boss after Amorim was axed in January.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was the early favourite but his chances have faded after a disappointing spell while Thomas Tuchel committed himself to England until 2028.

Paris Saint Germain Luis Enrique would be a dream appointment for many fans but the chances of luring him away would seem remote.

They are also planning to spend big in the market with United keen to sign midfield talent with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson at the top of their hit-list.