AFPMichael Carrick is not 'special' & won't bring Premier League title back to Man Utd if made permanent manager, claims Jamie Carragher
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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers an unlimited private email relay plus an unlimited number of shared aliases and 20 custom domains, ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator, and ExpressAI, an AI assistant that offers 500 credits a day, six AI models, a web search facility plus 2GB storage.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN

Basic
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN

Advanced
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.
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Carragher dismisses interim boss despite derby heroics
Carrick may have endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful with a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the weekend, but Carragher believes the former midfielder is not the answer to United's long-term prayers. Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool defender was tasked with whittling down a list of 25 potential candidates to replace Ruben Amorim permanently. While Carrick is currently in interim charge until the end of the season, Carragher wasted little time in crossing his name off the list.
Carragher’s reasoning was rooted in the brutally high standards required to lift the Premier League trophy. He drew a direct parallel between Carrick’s situation at United and Liam Rosenior’s tenure at Chelsea, suggesting neither possesses the elite pedigree to overthrow the league's dominant forces.
"I am not going to change my mind," Carragher asserted, referring to the post-derby hype. "I always think this when a Liverpool manager is appointed: Do I believe this guy can win us the league? It doesn't mean he will do it, but I have to believe he can. I don't believe Manchester United can win the league with Michael Carrick as manager, or Chelsea can win the league with Liam Rosenior as manager."
He continued by highlighting the rarity of title-winning managers: "You have to be really special. Think of the managers who have won the Premier League, 99 per cent of them are special, and I think Michael Carrick lacks that. I might be proven wrong, but that is why I will take Michael Carrick out of that."
Getty Images SportThe final four: Tuchel, Nagelsmann, Enrique and Howe
After ruthlessly cutting the list, Carragher settled on a four-man shortlist that he believes the United hierarchy should focus on: Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, Luis Enrique and Eddie Howe. Of the quartet, Carragher reserved special praise for current England manager Thomas Tuchel, suggesting the German tactician has the combustible energy required to wake a sleeping giant.
"He still has that energy and drive about him," Carragher said of Tuchel, noting that he has "ruffled feathers" during his time with the Three Lions. The pundit suggested that Tuchel is a manager who would "go to war" for his club, a trait United have arguably lacked since the days of Jose Mourinho. Carragher concluded his analysis with a bold prediction: "I think, if you are Manchester United - everyone will want Luis Enrique - I think there is a good chance they could end up with Thomas Tuchel."
Germany manager Nagelsmann was included for his tactical reputation and having "something to prove," while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe made the cut for his ability to handle the intense media scrutiny that comes with the United job. Paris Saint-German coach Luis Enrique remains the popular choice, though Carragher hinted that securing him might be difficult.
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Klopp, Alonso and Zidane ruled out for varied reasons
The segment saw Carragher methodically dissect the credentials of some of the biggest names in world football before discarding them. Jurgen Klopp was the first to go, with Carragher stating firmly that the former Liverpool boss "cannot do that" due to his glorious history with the Anfield club. The same logic was applied to recently-sacked Real Madrid chief Xabi Alonso, whose Liverpool links were deemed an insurmountable barrier.
Other elite names fell by the wayside due to concerns over age, energy, or tactical fit. Carlo Ancelotti, currently the Brazil boss, was dismissed on the grounds that he "wouldn't have the energy and drive to get United up the league." Zinedine Zidane was described as a "younger version" of Ancelotti who specifically "suits Real Madrid" but not the rebuilding project required in Manchester.
Tactical concerns also saw Diego Simeone removed from contention. Despite Thierry Henry’s protestations about a lack of clear "DNA" at United, Carragher insisted that the club must be an attacking side. He argued that appointing the defensive-minded Atletico Madrid boss would "go away from the club's DNA." Similarly, Oliver Glasner was crossed off because of his preference for a back-three system - a formation that Amorim was heavily criticised for during his failed stint at Old Trafford.
Getty Images SportPremier League stepping stones and 'war' with owners
The scrutiny extended to managers currently impressing elsewhere in the Premier League. While Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva have drawn plaudits for their work at Bournemouth and Fulham respectively, Carragher felt the leap to the Theatre of Dreams was too significant at this stage of their careers. "The next step for them would be Tottenham," he suggested, indicating they are not yet ready for the unique pressure of the United hot seat.
Roberto De Zerbi was another high-profile exclusion. Despite his tactical acumen, Carragher ruled him out due to his volatile nature, joking that the Italian is "liable to go to war within about six weeks with the owners."
Even Cesc Fabregas, championed by his Como part-owner Thierry Henry as one of the "next big coaches," was crossed off at Henry's own request to protect his colleague. Ultimately, the exercise highlighted the scarcity of truly "special" candidates available to United, leaving them with a narrow pool of elite options to consider once Carrick’s interim reign concludes.
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