Manchester United told to put unique clause in Michael Carrick’s contract

Manchester United should appoint Michael Carrick permanently, on the condition they can sack him for failing to qualify for the Champions League.

That is the view of talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor, who has urged the Red Devils to put a clause in the Englishman’s contract if they make him their permanent head coach.

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Carrick looks to be in closing in on the full-time role at Old Trafford after guiding the club to within touching distance of Champions League qualification.

A 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday night saw United strengthen their grip on third place, moving 11 points clear of Brighton in sixth.

With four Premier League games remaining, Carrick’s side are virtually out of reach, marking an impressive turnaround.

Since taking charge as interim boss in January, following Ruben Amorim‘s sacking, the Englishman has won nine of his 13 games in charge, including beating Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.

United are yet to confirm their next permanent appointment, but Carrick is now the frontrunner for the job in the eyes of many.

Deal or no deal

While Agbonlahor agreed Carrick should become United head coach on a full-time basis, he warned the club to avoid a repeat of past mistakes by adding clauses into his contract.

A series of failed appointments have cost the Red Devils heavily in recent years, most recently having to pay Ruben Amorim the remaining £10.05million of his £6.7m-a-year contract after his sacking.

Discussing Carrick’s future on talkSPORT Breakfast, Agbonlahor said: “He’s got to get the job.

“But they have to be careful because they’ve been stung haven’t they? What they’ve paid out to managers recently, Manchester United. 

“Make it a short term deal or if you’re making it a 3-4 year contract, clauses in there.

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“If you don’t get Champions League football, we’re allowed to sack you. I think this goes on in a lot of managers’ contracts.”

While Carrick looks the favourite to take the reigns permanently at Old Trafford, other big names have also been thrown in the hat.

This includes Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique, who is out of contract next year, as well as Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti and ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.

And Agbonlahor was quick to point out that United may not introduce a similar clause for other, more proven coaches.

He continued: “I don’t think Luis Enrique, if he was going to take a contract from Chelsea or Manchester United, would allow for these clauses to be in. 

“I think if you’re a top, top manager, who’s won what Enrique has with PSG, what he’s won with Barcelona.

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“Imagine Pep [Guardiola]. He’s not having any clauses in a contract like: ‘Okay you can get rid of me if I don’t get Champions League football’.

“I think someone like Michael Carrick can make sense with how Manchester United have been stung in recent years.

“Short term deal, you don’t get Champions League football, maybe we go our separate ways.”