Teddy Sheringham believes Manchester United will defeat Leeds United with ease in their Premier League match on Monday night – and wants Michael Carrick to be given the manager’s job on a full-time basis.
Former England forward Sheringham expects United to defeat rivals Leeds 3-0 in the 8pm kick-off at Old Trafford, a result that would help cement United’s grip on a Champions League spot.
On the much-anticipated showdown which rounds off the Premier League weekend, Sheringham said: “[It’s a] big game. Always a lot of friction – I played in it quite a few times.
“I expect Michael to get his team up and running after the break and for Man United to get a home win. 3-0 to Man Utd.”
Unbelievable job
Sheringham has been impressed with Carrick – and expects him to be given the manager’s gig permanently after a hugely successful spell since taking the reins from Ruben Amorim on an interim basis.
When asked if Carrick has done enough to keep the United job on a permanent basis, former West Ham and Man Utd star Sheringham said during an exclusive conversation with BestBettingSites: “Yes, without a doubt. I think it’s been phenomenal.
“For me, he’s done an unbelievable job to turn things around so quickly. I like his manner as a manager – very composed.
“You can be composed when things are going well – like [Arne] Slot last year – but when results turn, that gets tested.
“But I like Carrick’s composure and the way he leads himself and leads Manchester United.
“I think he’s perfect for the role. I would love to see him offered the job on a full-time basis, ideally before the end of the season so United can go into the summer with total clarity.
“There’s been a few too many summers at the club where the manager’s future is in doubt and we’ve seen the negative effect that can have on the place.
“It creates too much uncertainty for the players that are in the building and the players the club wants to sign.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Wonderkid Rio Ngumoha shines as Liverpool beat Fulham
Keeps things simple
Sheringham feels he has the full support of the dressing room at Old Trafford, something former manager Amorim struggled to gain during his tenure in Manchester.
The former West Ham striker added: “Michael Carrick has done an unbelievable job to turn things around so quickly.
“He’s got the backing of the players and he understands what the standards are at a club like Manchester United.
“He hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel. He’s kept things simple, put his best players in the team and reverted to a brand of football that the players understand fully.
“There shouldn’t be anyone else in the conversation for the United role based on what Michael has achieved since he walked through the door.”
Bruno ‘not captain material’
Sheringham also offered up his transfer thoughts during the interview, suggesting Bruno Fernandes is not captain material and should be sold to make way for Nottingham Forest duo Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.
When talking about Fernandes, he said: “I think he’s been phenomenal, but I still don’t think he’s captain material. I think he’d be better if he wasn’t captain.
“His performances over the last three years have been unbelievable, leading by example – and I know that’s what captains do, but he’s probably a little bit too much of a flair player to be captain in my opinion.
“There have been flair players who’ve been captains in great teams, but I prefer consistent central midfielders or centre-halves as captains, and then just let the flair players do their thing – don’t give them the responsibility to run the team as well.
“It’d be interesting. If you get good money for him, you could maybe buy two players coming into their prime.
“I don’t know what they’d get for Fernandes, but if you could get Anderson and half of Gibbs-White, you’d probably take that.”
READ NEXT: Teddy Sheringham warns Chelsea risk dressing room unrest amid ‘feeder club’ concerns