Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick has been named on the six-man shortlist for the Premier League Manager of the Season award despite having overseen just 15 league matches.
Carrick, who took charge in January after succeeding Ruben Amorim, remains in a temporary role at Old Trafford although the club are reportedly prepared to open talks about making him permanent. He joins Keith Andrews, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Andoni Iraola and Regis Le Bris on the shortlist.
Since taking over, Carrick has won 10 and drawn three of his 15 Premier League games. By that form, the article notes, had the season begun when he arrived United would be just a point behind current leaders Manchester City.
Keith Andrews receives recognition for his work at Brentford, where he steadied a team many tipped for relegation after a difficult summer that included the departures of their head coach, captain and two top scorers. Instead Brentford have pushed into Europe and remain in contention for a Champions League place.
Arteta and Guardiola are also considered after steering Arsenal and Manchester City into a title battle that goes to the final two weekends. Bournemouth’s outgoing boss Andoni Iraola has earned praise for guiding the Cherries through a turbulent pre-season to another notable campaign, and Sunderland are highlighted as on track to be the best-performing newly promoted side since Sheffield United finished ninth in 2019/20.
Shortlists for the individual player awards were also revealed. The Player of the Season nominees include Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel, Declan Rice, David Raya, Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland, Morgan Gibbs-White and Brentford forward Igor Thiago.
The Young Player of the Season list features Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Eli Junior Kroupi, Manchester City signing Rayan Cherki, Carabao Cup final double-scorer Nico O’Reilly, West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, Newcastle and England left-back Lewis Hall, Brentford right-back Michael Kayode and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
The shortlist and Carrick’s inclusion prompted mixed reaction from supporters. One Manchester United fan called the nomination “ridiculous” and argued Andrews deserved the honour for his work at Brentford. Other readers questioned whether Carrick’s brief spell in charge justified a nomination, while some suggested Iraola or Arteta were more likely winners.
The awards will be decided as the season concludes over the coming weekends, with managers and players in contention for recognition for their impact on what has been a dramatic Premier League campaign.