Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has labelled comparisons to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'irrelevant' - but he's no closer to learning whether his interim period will end in the same outcome. United chiefs are still yet to decide whether Carrick, 44, will get the job permanently, despite putting them on course to qualify for the Champions League.
Appointed on an interim basis in January, the former United midfielder has won eight out of his 12 Premier League matches, firing the Red Devils to third place with only five games to go. His spell has mirrored that of Solskjaer, who Carrick assistant to when the ex-United striker returned to Old Trafford in 2019 and drastically changed their fortunes.
Solskjaer was given the job on a permanent basis less than three months after returning, although he was ultimately sacked in 2021 following a poor start to the season. Asked for his verdict on the comparions to his former colleague and close friend, Carrick replied: "I don't think it's disrespectful, I think I've got the utmost respect for him.
"He's a close friend of mine so I worked closely with him when he was here so I was quite attached to that and I thought we did a lot of good things really and we became close and in the end obviously it changed and it went a different direction, that's football.
"I think comparisons, you could compare to all sorts of different situations and managers and coaches and teams over the years, it just depends on what you want to choose to compare.
"It's irrelevant really, it really is, and that's not a negative or a positive, it doesn't really have any link at all I think, we're a different team now, irrespective of me, who's in charge, it's a different time, so I don't really think comparisons literally make any difference at all."
Speaking ahead of Monday's clash with Brentford, Carrick was also pressed on his future. "I've said it many times, I enjoy being here, you know, I enjoy the role I'm in," he stated.
"We've had some good results and we're in decent shape, there's a lot to go, we still want to keep improving, there are layers that we want to get to really. I'll see, I'll keep saying the same things in front of you every week, there is only so much I can say in terms of that, but I've said it many times again, I enjoy being here, I love being here it's a real privilege to be in the position I am."
On when he can expect a decision, Carrick replied: "I'm not sure, to be honest, and it's not, genuinely it's something in terms of deadlines that I'm really chasing.
"I think it'll become clear when it's going to become clear, and I'm here at the moment to help the team and help the club get results. At the moment we're doing alright, we can keep pushing and getting better, so really that's generally all I'm focused on right now."
