"Of course, he's an amazing coach. He's brought different energy. Also, the way we're doing in training, it's unbelievable." That's Benjamin Sesko, unprompted in the mixed zone after Monday's win over Brentford — and he's far from alone.
Michael Carrick has now taken nine Premier League wins from his stint as interim manager since stepping in on January 13. When he arrived, United were sixth. They're third now, looking down at the rest of the table from a Champions League position. That kind of turnaround doesn't happen by accident, and the players know it.
A dressing room that's already decided
Sesko has been one of Carrick's biggest beneficiaries — the striker is hitting goalscoring numbers he hasn't managed before at Old Trafford, and the two shared an embrace on the touchline at full-time against Brentford. That image does more than any post-match quote.
Amad and Bryan Mbeumo said similar things at Carton House earlier this month during United's training camp in Ireland. Amad called him "the right man." Mbeumo said he "likes playing under him." When the squad this united in backing one candidate, a club ignores it at its peril.
Carrick himself is playing this carefully. He acknowledged there are discussions happening, said his opinion is "involved" in them, and stressed he's not making short-term decisions. That's not a man distancing himself from the role. That's a man doing everything right to land it.
What it means beyond the table
United still haven't confirmed anything. Club sources are talking about a "thorough process," which is the sort of corporate language that comes before an announcement everyone already knows is coming. Carrick has accumulated more points per game than any other manager in the top flight since taking over. The numbers make the argument for him.
For United's title odds to matter again — and they haven't for 13 years — continuity is the starting point, not a shortcut. Carrick lifted five Premier League titles at this club as a player. He understands what winning here looks like. Whether the board trusts that understanding enough to make it official is the only question left.
He was direct enough when asked about Champions League qualification being within reach: "Not something that we should be all celebrating." Third place isn't the destination. He knows it. So do the players backing him.
