Lee Sharpe, the former Manchester United winger, believes Michael Carrick faces immediate pressure to deliver silverware after guiding the club to a third-place finish and UEFA Champions League qualification.

Speaking to Netbet, Sharpe argued that the standards embedded at Old Trafford leave no room for a trophy-free season. "He's at one of the biggest, if not the biggest, clubs in the world, so if you're not winning things at the end of every season, then there are definitely questions asked and pressure to be mounted," Sharpe said.

"I think he'll be expecting to win something. I think the fans will. I think the board will. There's no hiding it. You have to win everything and win something every year. That just goes with the territory."

The Ferguson blueprint

Sharpe also drew a line between learning from experience and outright imitation, suggesting Carrick should absorb the winning habits of those he played under — Sir Alex Ferguson chief among them.

"I don't know if Michael needs to take anything from Alex Ferguson. I think you should learn from managers you've played under and take little bits from them, but certainly the winning mentality from Sir Alex. He wanted to win every game, no matter whether it was home or away or if it was a tough game or an easy game — every game needed to be won, and I think Michael's the same as that," he added.

A two-year drought to end

Carrick inherited the role from former manager Ruben Amorim and now carries the weight of ending a trophy drought that stretches back almost three years. Manchester United's last major honour was the 2023/24 FA Cup, claimed at Wembley with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City, courtesy of goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.