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Can Michael Carrick do what Man Utd have not managed since Sir Alex Ferguson? Longevity forecast made by former Premier League and Champions League-winning Red Devils star

Michael Carrick is now the latest manager tasked with reviving Manchester United’s old glory, but can he deliver a first since Sir Alex Ferguson? Since the iconic Scot left, the Red Devils have not won the Premier League title, and finding stability in the dugout has also proved difficult. Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL that the next man in charge is capable of enjoying a rare spell of long-term success.

When did Man Utd last win the Premier League title?

Ferguson, who won 13 top-flight titles, stepped away in 2013. He had created a dynasty at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, but the foundations that once looked rock solid soon began to show cracks, with fears of a collapse emerging.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim are among those who have tried and failed to follow in those hugely successful coaching footsteps. There have been the occasional trophy wins, but consistency has remained out of reach.

That was also the situation in 2025-26, with Portuguese tactician Amorim relieved of his duties early in the new year. An SOS call was answered by familiar faces, with caretaker Darren Fletcher eventually handing over the reins to interim boss Carrick .

He did enough in 17 matches in charge, which brought 12 wins, to secure a two-year contract . United will be back in Champions League action this season, while also aiming to push into the title race on home soil.

Will Carrick spend more than two full seasons at the helm?

If Carrick can meet expectations , then he could become the first United manager since Ferguson to remain in the dugout for more than two full seasons. There are still plenty of hurdles to clear before that happens.

When asked whether Carrick can achieve that, four-time Premier League title winner Silvestre - speaking in association with Betinia - told GOAL : “Like he said in an interview when he took over, he has to prove himself to the players, to the board that he can be there for longer.

“He can only achieve that if he qualifies always for the Champions League, plays good football and tries to improve the team to win the league. I think he will have time and I think he can do it.

“He's never managed a top club before, but he has so much knowledge about what United is about, about the game. He's been coaching, he's not 38 years old, he's going towards his 50s, he's not a young lad, so he knows himself.

“I hope that his backroom staff is good enough, because it's not a one-man job anymore. You have to manage 25 players with big egos, with big wages. The sporting director has a big role to play as well as the CEO, it's not like before, we can't compare. We can't compare Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and David Dein. Now it's a different ball game, totally different”

Are Man Utd Premier League title contenders in 2026-27?

Another man who worked under Ferguson, former Red Devils assistant Rene Meulensteen, has previously told GOAL when asked whether United can end their 14-year wait for the title under a manager who knows exactly what it takes to lift that trophy: “In my opinion, I think they could if they buy the right players, keep hold of the right ones and buy the right players to strengthen them.

“Just on the basis of the last 14, 15 games that Michael Carrick has been in charge, you look at the form, you look at the performances in the Premier League, they can beat anyone. They've proven that. They've proven to be able to beat the ones that are challenging for the title now.

“With a stronger squad next year, why couldn't they do that? In my opinion, I think it's a little bit of an excuse when I hear people say, ‘next year's too early’. I don't think so.”

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Key dates: Premier League opener & Champions League draw

United have returned to pre-season training and are working through a set of friendly matches. Some major tests await them against Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds and AC Milan.

The Red Devils will begin their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with an away trip to newly-promoted Hull City on August 22 . Their loyal supporters are already looking ahead to the Champions League draw , which will be held on August 27.