Manchester United face a difficult decision as Michael Carrick remains an obvious internal option while Andoni Iraola emerges as a leading external candidate. Iraola, who announced his Bournemouth departure last month, has attracted attention for an eye-catching rise on the south coast that could end in European qualification this term.

Iraola has favoured a 4-2-3-1 since arriving in England, the same system he used regularly with Rayo Vallecano. More important than formation is his tactical identity: intense, front-footed football that presses high and forces turnovers. United have faced his Bournemouth side six times without victory, winning two and drawing four. “Chaos” was the word first used to describe his approach to Premier League audiences, and the energy of his teams can produce havoc, as seen in the 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in December.

In possession Iraola asks for quick, direct movement and the exploitation of turnovers near the opposition goal. Bournemouth’s attacking output this season underlines that approach; only four teams have scored more than the Cherries.

If Iraola took charge, a likely framework and personnel issues United would have to address are clear.

GK: Senne Lammens — Signed from the Belgian Pro League as a relative unknown, the 23-year-old has impressed in his debut term and offered reassurance between the posts.

RB: Tino Livramento — United currently have Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, but Iraola may prefer a more athletic, attack-minded option such as Livramento.

CB: Matthijs de Ligt — Injury affected his season, but he had shown strong form before that and remains central to the club’s plans.

CB: Lisandro Martínez — Also hampered by injury, Martínez remains the preferred left-footed centre back.

LB: Adrien Truffert — With Luke Shaw approaching 31 and Patrick Dorgu yet to establish himself at left back, Truffert could be an ideal long-term option.

CM: Sandro Tonali — United need major midfield recruitment to replace Casemiro. Tonali’s blend of work-rate and technique fits Iraola’s demands.

CM: Kobbie Mainoo — Carrick has helped revive Mainoo’s progress; Iraola would likely continue to build the midfield around the 21-year-old.

RW: Bryan Mbeumo — An encouraging debut campaign has seen Mbeumo provide goals and creativity and he could add spark on the right.

AM: Bruno Fernandes — The captain has thrived under every past manager. Iraola would need to give Fernandes freedom to orchestrate attacks.

Matheus Cunha compared Michael Carrick’s arrival to a dose of old‑school inspiration and credited the caretaker manager with sparking Manchester United’s recent recovery. Cunha opened the scoring in the derby and said: “When Michael [Carrick] came, he came with magic! Alex Ferguson vibes. He talks so much about his team, the conquering team. This feeling comes to us. We feel so happy with the information, we focus so hard to reach the objective.

“At the end of the day, this is just the start of the journey, it’s the beginning—a beautiful beginning!”

United were seventh when Carrick took the helm, narrowly beating out Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the race of former players to replace Ruben Amorim. Since that change the club have posted the best record in the league, a run that has included victories over Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool. That same group of players had earlier been dumped out of the Carabao Cup second round by fourth‑tier Grimsby Town.

There has been a tangible shift beyond nostalgia. Carrick has moved the team from Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 to a more direct 4-2-3-1 and has repositioned players to suit their strengths. Bruno Fernandes explained how Carrick identified the right half-space as a key area for the playmaker to exploit; it was from that zone that Fernandes started the move which led to Benjamin Šeško’s goal against Liverpool.

Few have benefited more than Kobbie Mainoo. The academy graduate, who had one foot out of the door by the end of Amorim’s tenure, signed a new lucrative deal and is now a nailed-on starter. Mainoo said of Carrick: “He’s played a huge part in it, all the confidence he gives all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch.”

After 17 games Carrick’s record stands alongside Sir Alex Ferguson’s early benchmark: Carrick (start date Jan. 17, 2026) 12 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses, 33 goals for and 19 against; Ferguson (start date Nov. 8, 1986) 7 wins, 6 draws, 4 losses, 22 goals for and 15 against.

United’s hierarchy have made no decision on a permanent appointment. Andoni Iraola is being seriously considered and the interest in Luis Enrique has not been entirely closed off. Carrick declined to discuss his future: “Whatever is going to happen is going to happen,” he shrugged.

Sir Alex Ferguson was taken to hospital from Old Trafford on Sunday before Manchester United’s Premier League match against Liverpool. The former manager had been meeting guests at the stadium, including cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra, who posted a photograph with Ferguson on social media.

Malhotra wrote on X: “A privilege, honour and dream come true to be invited to spend some quality time with Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the game against Liverpool today at Old Trafford.” It is not clear how soon after that meeting Ferguson was transported to hospital; he did not attend the game.

Ferguson missed Manchester United’s chaotic 3–2 victory, a match decided by Kobbie Mainoo’s 77th-minute strike. Mainoo celebrated a recent contract extension after scoring the match-winner.

Manchester United have yet to issue a formal statement on Ferguson’s condition. The Athletic reported the club described the situation as “not a medical emergency.” BBC Sport echoed that line and said club officials are “optimistic” Ferguson will soon be “fit enough” to return home.

Ferguson is widely regarded as the greatest manager in Premier League history. He guided Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles during a 27-year tenure and led the club to two Champions League triumphs. The 1998–99 season produced a treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles, a feat not repeated by an English club until Manchester City in 2023. Pep Guardiola and Manchester City currently hold six Premier League titles.

Some observers noted past health concerns. In 2018 Ferguson suffered a brain hemorrhage that required emergency surgery. He recalled that episode in his documentary Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In, and said, “All of my life I have appreciated the NHS, none more so with that experience, they were fantastic. And I owe it to them really.”