Joe Cole tips Carrick for permanent Manchester United role

Joe Cole believes Michael Carrick has the potential to emulate the success of Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane at Manchester United. Having played alongside Carrick at West Ham and for England, the TNT Sports pundit draws upon their longstanding friendship and mutual respect to assess Carrick’s managerial credentials.

Cole argues that Carrick’s intrinsic knowledge of United, combined with his experience operating at the highest level of football, positions him perfectly for the permanent role. He draws parallels with Barcelona and Real Madrid, where former icons like Guardiola, Xavi, Luis Enrique, and Zidane returned to lead their clubs to glory.

According to Cole, the specific advantage Carrick possesses is his familiarity with the intense pressure of elite football. He suggests that because Carrick has "lived at that altitude" for so long, he possesses a unique ability to relate to current squad members, making him an ideal candidate to steer the club.