26 Jan 2026 07:22:56
While Carrick is rightly getting all of the plaudits right now, I wonder how much of an impact Steve Holland is having behind the scenes with these players.

1.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 08:16:18
They’re a collective coaching team. And have made a fabulous start. Whatever happens, the players are now playing with freedom, shackles off and with smiles on their faces. It’s so refreshing.

Seems we’ve now entered a time of negative hyberbole. Instead of praising Carrick and his team, Keane Neville et al are all saying there is no way he ought to ge the role full time regardless of what he does. Ridiculous to fall into either camp right now.

Simply mind boggling level of stupidity. Form an informed opinion at the end of the season based on results, playing style, atmosphere in the camp and long term plan. Frankly if he does well, Carrick deserves an interview at the very least.

2.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 08:46:43
Some of these “even if he wins every game, he shouldn’t get the job” comments from former players are a little embarrassing.

The way this season is going, if we win all of our remaining games there’s a good chance we’ll win the league. I’m not saying that he’s the right man for the job (at this point, I think it’s far too early to make that call), but if he can secure a top four finish or better, I do think he deserves to be a part of the conversation, especially if the likes of Ancelloti and Luis Enrique aren’t interested.

3.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 08:50:54
We are in the top 4 now in almost every main metric - points, expected goals for, expected goals against (i. e. 4th least), . Very obviously we were in a much better place under Amorim that far too many here suggest, but Carrick has made adjustments that appear to be helping.

Amorim hadn't shown enough capacity to really get that last bit out of this team. But can we stop this ridiculous bashing of him. It's inane.

4.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 09:07:14
The decision to give Carrick the job full-time needs to be put on hold until the end of the season. For Keane to state at this stage that, even if he were to win every game, he shouldn't get the job smacks of a personal gripe/grudge.

What is for sure is that, if Carrick does well and gets the job, he's made it. If he does well but doesn't get the job, he will be snapped up by a good club.

So he's on a winner either way. Win-win for Carrick. The same isn't necessarily true for the club. He does well but is replaced by a different permanent manager who fails, or he does get the job, but then it all falls apart, the club will get slammed by the media and fans alike. This is United.

5.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 09:10:37
A decision should be made at the end of the season.

The last two matches have been brilliant. It has been a joy to watch Utd as well.

6.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 09:17:21
Carrick has been clever with his coaches, has brought in a couple of people close to him with Evans having a connection to the club. Bringing in Steve Holland adds an outside view who brings serious organisation and a coach that has shown adaptability to a variety of managers/head coaches.

I think the set up is working as a collective with Carrick having a core view of how he wants the team set up/play and allowing the coaches to have input into this.

Now we are onto the games we will have more of the possession, let's see how he does over these games. I was a fan of Amorim. but I have loved these past 2 games.

7.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 09:58:50
Of course they’ll say that. Why would they heap more pressure on him by saying he should get it? They are taking the pressure off of him.
Pipe dream, if he got second they wouldn’t have any issue at all giving him a 2 year contract to give him a full season.

People read into things too much.

8.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 10:01:52
I think I remember that the late and sorely-missed Ed002 really rated Holland.

9.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 10:42:34
I love Keane and on paper what he said is a fair comment, "They need a bigger and better manager. The size of the club and the challenges they face over the next few years, you want a manager who you feel can get them winning league titles. ''

However, Keane suggested Eddie Howe last week!

10.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 10:44:51
He is a relaly good coach and did a great job on the England set up Wallace.
Coaching a footballing minnow country like England is not easy with crazy and unrealistic expectations is not easy and he did a great job with them.


The job should be accessed at the end of the season. If Carrick keeps us in the European places then he has a great shot at retaining the job.

{Ed025's Note -" a footballing minnow like England ken", now i know you are Irish mate but look at the star on the shirt.. :)

11.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 11:02:40
He also rated Amorim! And recommended him for the job!

12.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 11:16:05
1 comp win 60 years ago ed025.
England are a football minnows.
1 final in 60 years. Even Everton have more finals that that. ?
Not qualified for wc finals in those 60 years not qualified g for euro finals in those years. Hardly threatened to win a comp for 60 years. Definitely a footballing minnow in intl terms.


Of all those who claim to big big footballing nations i think England has won less than any of the major ones.
Footballing minnows at intl level whether you like it or not.
The worst winning record of all the major self proclaimed footballing nations.

{Ed025's Note - nah Ken we are still one of the big boys mate which is why we are always one of the favourites for all the big competitions, yes we should have won more but we are always there or thereabouts, minnows i think not..

13.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 11:58:47
Czech Republic, Russia Denmark italy multiple France multiple Spain multiple Germany multiple Portugal just some of the european teams that have won a tournament since England.
Of all the counties that list football as a primary sport England are one if the least successful.
England who claim it as their national sport are not very good good at winning.
It suits the rest of the world the only people who want England to win are the English the vast majority of neutral fans will opt for the English opposition.

i'd say even Israel Russia and and North Korea would have most neutral support against England's football team.
Egypt Morocco Senegal and Nigeria have been more successful.
Your biased in your opinion and have no real substance to back it up.
When it comes to winning football tournaments England are minnows particularly since 1967 59 years .

{Ed025's Note - considering the size of our country Ken and the times we have been so close i can live with that, you are an English hater and i can live with that as well, we are still in the top 5 great football nations for me..but everyone to their own i suppose..

14.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 12:30:03
So all the countries that have won more are not better?? I see.

{Ed025's Note - no, we invented the bloody game Ken, and will probably win the world cup very soon...again.. :)

15.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 12:45:04
Argentina and Brazil i'm sure your not going to argue you have been better than them in last 60 years.
So which of the following have you been better than in last 60 years to claim to be in top 5.
Spain?
Germany?
Italy?
France?
Portugal Holland Denmark Russia Czech Republic all won a tournament since englands last.
As have a host of African nations and South american.
Your sounding like president Donald.
Saying something enough times does not make it true or factual. Your opinion may be that England are a top 5 intl nation but the i'm Afraid for the last 60 years you have been in the international wilderness until southgate got you back competing again and even with his tactical nous he couldn't get you over the line against the better teams.


Simple question when was the last time England beat a significant footballing nation in a wc or ec finals? Every time they come up against one of the big boys they go home with their tail between their legs having been thought a lesson in winning.

{Ed025's Note - you cant count the African teams at this stage Ken...did you actually watch AFCON mate?...it was like non league standard, we are the team to beat in every world competition...and you wont convince me differently..

16.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 14:43:02
The African teams are better now than the tosh that played in the 66 wc.
Big leave in emblems no doubt. Not been one by an English coach for over 35 years.
No team that's win the epl has been dominated by English players. The English are not very good at football but they do market it well.

{Ed025's Note - i dont think you like the English very much Ken, fact is we are one of the best footballing countries in the world, look at European competitions and world club championships...we win more than anyone, we even embrace our little Irish neighbours and give some of them a chance to play in the best footballing country on the planet...please show some gratitude mate.. :)

17.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 18:02:20
I'm pretty certain Ken that some of Fergie's title winning teams were dominated by English players. I guess that depends on your definition of dominant. Definitely been a steady decline of English players, but that has been across the board since the early 2000s.

For clarity, I'm English, but can't stand the English national team or England and the UK for that matter. For me it could sink into the Atlantic and the world would be better off.

18.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 19:16:40
Ed025 absolutely the epl is the best league in the world and the best marketed (you can only do that with a good product) that was not the debate. The debate was that the English team are minnows or very much in the lower echelons of national powerhouse's especially compared with their expectations. Zero wins in 60 years.
But not since the late 70s early 80s when the clubsides were dominated by English Irish Scottish and Welsh players back in a time when the game and World were less globalised epl teams are dominated by non english players more often than not. Remember the madness in late 70s when ossie and Ricky game from Argentina?
Since the 80s no English winning manager ( 91)
The best teams have much fewer players from the home nations.
England have had squads that could compete you would think but never got there. Why? Mentality is the answer imo. No even 1 wc final in 15 attempts 1 euro final there are 10 plus countries in Europe with better records in that time not to mention those from South America.


The English national team are not a powerhouse.
Funnily the 2 best managers since Ramsey were English and understood the English mentality better handled the players better and the media better in Robson and southgate. So I hope they do find the right manager I think England winning a wc would be good for the game in general. It might be a pain in the arse for the rest of the world for the next 60 years but i'd take that.
Id like England to win a wc again I've no hatred towards the English football team away.
Pointing out that you are not as good as most English people think they are is not hatred its just the way it is. i'm surprised that you sought to put that label on me and I think its unfair and not in keeping with our interactions with are always respectful.

{Ed025's Note - i have never had problems with our interactions Ken and still dont, but on this topic you come across as very Anti-English mate and im just sticking up for my nation, which im sure you would if it was Ireland being slaughtered mate..

19.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 20:13:29
Ranked 4th in the world. Not bad for minnows.

20.) 26 Jan 2026
26 Jan 2026 21:06:05
Where do they rank in winning things ports they are Minows in that regard.
Ed025 we should take a leaf from USA calling baseball the world series. Call the hurling the world hurling championship? its one way of being a world champion team.

{Ed025's Note - good idea Ken.. :)