Jamie Carragher believes Michael Carrick can restore stability and respectability to Manchester United, but doubts the former midfielder has the “stardust” required to deliver the Premier League or Champions League.

Carrick, who initially stepped in as interim manager before being handed the job permanently, guided United to a third-place finish last season and a return to the Champions League. His calm demeanour and low-drama approach have been widely credited with cooling the turbulence that surrounded the club in recent years.

Carragher, speaking on The Overlap, acknowledged that stabilising United was no small achievement, arguing that the club needed a period of normality after years of upheaval. He suggested Carrick is exactly the kind of figure who can provide that platform.

However, the former Liverpool defender drew a sharp distinction between making United competitive again and turning them into genuine contenders for the game’s biggest prizes. He compared Carrick to a good player who can lift a team to a certain level but not quite carry it to the summit.

Carragher said he does not see Carrick as the manager to win either the Premier League or Champions League with United, even if he continues to perform solidly. In his view, Carrick could put the club in a strong enough position that, in time, the hierarchy might look for a proven, title-winning coach to take them the final step.

United’s summer business has focused on reinforcing midfield, with Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arriving to add depth and control. Carragher questioned why United did not push harder for former West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who moved to Tottenham in a high-profile deal. He argued that while the fee was substantial, elite midfielders rarely come cheap in the current market.

On the pitch, United’s pre-season has been encouraging, with only one defeat, against Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan. Off the field, speculation continues around Marcus Rashford’s future, but Carrick has indicated the forward remains central to his plans. Defender Harry Maguire has also urged Rashford to stay, calling him a major asset and a constant threat in training and matches.

For Carragher, though, the broader question remains: Carrick may be the man to steady Manchester United, but is he the one to lead them back to the very top?