Jamie Carragher believes Michael Carrick does not possess the managerial experience to restore Manchester United to their former glory.Carrick was appointed the Red Devils’ permanent head coach in May following a successful stint as interim boss, which saw him guide the club back into the Champions League, a competition they have won three times previously. Carrick was appointed permanent United boss after boasting the highest win rate of any manager since Sir Alex FergusonGettyWhile his impressive results saw him handed the full-time role, the former midfielder was far from guaranteed the job, with some huge names being touted – including PSG boss Luis Enrique.Ultimately, Old Trafford bosses postponed their search for a new manager, instead giving the reins to Carrick permanently.But his first full season in charge has been underwhelming so far, with United winning just one of their first three league games.That includes an opening day defeat to newly-promoted Hull, which saw Carrick immediately come under scrutiny.Carragher: Carrick is just a stop gapWhile United began Champions League campaign with a thumping 4-0 win over Azerbaijani minnows Sabah on Thursday, Liverpool icon Carragher has now voiced his doubts over Carrick’s long-term suitability in the dugout.In a Telegraph column, he insisted Carrick’s CV means there will always be doubts over his ability to make the Red Devils an elite side again.With Carrick’s only previous managerial role ending in him being sacked by Middlesbrough, Carragher claimed he is still only viewed by many as United’s interim boss.The Reds icon continued his argument on Friday, as he joined Sam Matterface, Alex Crook and Scott Minto on talkSPORT.Pressed on his take, Carragher said: “I don’t think Manchester United will win a league title or a Champions League with Michael Carrick.“I’ve said that openly, but I think it’s right that he’s got the job right now. His results are fantastic. A major factor in Carrick’s permanent appointment was his backing from United’s playersGetty“And I just think Manchester United right now, on the back of last night, back in the Champions League, Manchester United need to become a regular team in the Champions League again.”While Carragher praised Carrick for restoring stability at United after successive disappointing campaigns under Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag, he then shared his doubts over his credentials.The television pundit highlighted the current trend in managerial appointments- insisting coaches tend to be chosen on merit or their style of play – and said Carrick falls into neither category.Carragher continued: “The way management is now, we see a lot of managers and we put them in boxes – they’ve almost got a style of football, or we look back at what they’ve done at the previous clubs.“And more often than not, what they’ve done at previous clubs has got them the big job. You can see that with most of the clubs this season. “But Michael Carrick’s journey was different and how he got the job was different. Carragher raised concerns over Carrick’s managerial CV“I just think people on the outside of Manchester United, whether it’s journalists or fans of other clubs, probably don’t buy into the fact that he is the guy or the man to get Manchester United.”Carragher added: “I think what Michael Carrick has done, and to his credit, is he’s had great results, and he’s stopped Manchester United almost being a bit of a circus that they have been for the last few years. “He’s calmed everything down. And will he be the guy who takes them to that next step? Really, I don’t quite see that.“But that’s not a criticism. I think he’s done fantastic since he’s come in. And I think if Manchester United get Champions League football again this season, that would be a really good season.”Carrick lacks ‘X-factor’Continuing to question Carrick as a long-term option at Man United, Carragher insisted this is simply the public perception of him and pointed to some of the manager’s press conferences this term.He went on: “You can see by the way, he gets questioned after games – that journalist trying to put him on the back foot on the back of one defeat at Hull saying there wasn’t enough passion. I’ve seen someone pushing him after the Ipswich game. Carrick began the 2026/27 campaign on the back foot with a 2-0 away defeat to HullGetty“That wouldn’t happen, I don’t think, to someone who had a big CV or had come with a big reputation or doing trophies at another club. “He’s got the job on the back of being an ex-Manchester United player, and he’s done brilliantly.“But when you think of guys who win the Champions League or win the Premier League, they’ve probably done more in their managerial careers before.”Carragher gave examples of Enzo Maresca’s appointment at Manchester City off the back of silverware at Chelsea, and Andoni Iraola‘s success at Bournemouth to land him the Liverpool job.His doubts over Carrick came despite the fact that, prior to their draw with Everton on Sunday, United had taken 42 points from their last 19 games – considered title-winning form across half the season with Arsenal crowned champions in 2026 on 85 points.Carragher acknowledged this, before rounding off: “What he’s done so far as a manager is title-winning form. Enzo Maresca has made a strong start at Man City, and Carragher insisted his credentials make him a more viable appointment at the Etihad than Carrick at UnitedGetty“But I think the managers who win the biggest trophies, they’ve got an X-factor of stardust – Michael Carrick’s still got to prove that he’s got that. “He’ll still be seen by people on the outside as the guy who, before Manchester United, got sacked at Middlesbrough. “That’s just the nature of the game.”