Article #11883

Job is his to lose after closing in on Champions League but unknown is how will the manager cope with a dip in form

Michael Carrick is the calm Manchester United interim manager who moves ever closer to being appointed the seventh permanent leader of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. To coin the cliche: it is certifiably the 44-year-old’s to lose.

Having guided United to third place and eight points clear of Brighton in sixth, two wins from their last five games will all but seal a Champions League berth due to superior goal difference. Defeat Brentford when Keith Andrews’ team visit Old Trafford on Monday and the champagne can be iced.