Manchester United’s bounce under Michael Carrick has been loud — unbeaten, and against opponents who usually expose any weakness. But that’s exactly why the real conversation has shifted: does the club trust him as a long-term answer, or is this simply a controlled pause after Ruben Amorim’s early-January dismissal? Roy Keane’s message is blunt: two big wins don’t equal a permanent appointment.
A short surge, a long question
Beating Arsenal and Manchester City did more than add points. It suggested composure, clearer spacing, and a team that looks less burdened by its own mistakes. Caretaker spells can do that: they simplify, strip away noise, and often get an immediate response from the dressing room.
The problem is that Old Trafford doesn’t reward short-term clarity with long-term faith. Momentum here is treated as evidence — and evidence is expected to hold up under stress.
What comes next is harder to quantify than a week of results: whether Carrick can turn a bounce into a baseline.
Trust is built in the uncomfortable moments
Keane’s skepticism reflects a familiar standard at United: a manager is judged not only on whether he can steady the ship, but whether he can build one. That means authority when results dip, decisions that shape the squad, and an identity that survives the tougher stretches of a season.
Carrick’s closeness to the club is both asset and trap. Familiarity earns initial goodwill, but it also raises the bar quickly — because everyone assumes he “should” know how this place works. Trust, at this level, isn’t sentiment. It’s a bet on resilience.
What a “bigger” appointment really signals
Calls for a “bigger and better” coach usually translate into safety: a proven winner, a stronger public shield, a name that calms the boardroom as much as the fanbase. After another managerial reset, the next choice is as much about confidence management as football.
United’s next run will reveal whether this spell is sustainable — and whether the club is willing to let trust grow naturally, or would rather import it with a headline hire.
