Dimitar Berbatov has called on Manchester United to resist rushing into a permanent appointment for Michael Carrick, despite the interim manager’s impressive impact on the team.

The former United striker, who shared a dressing room with Carrick during a highly successful spell at Old Trafford, believes the club must avoid repeating past mistakes when early momentum led to long-term decisions.

Berbatov pointed to the example of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose blistering start as caretaker manager earned him the job full-time, only for the project to unravel later. For Berbatov, Carrick’s encouraging opening run should be a reason for optimism, not haste.

He acknowledged his personal affection for his former teammate and admitted he would like to see Carrick succeed, but stressed that judgment should be reserved until the end of the campaign. Only then, he argued, will there be a clear picture of whether Carrick can sustain performances and results over a meaningful period.

Carrick’s early record has been difficult to ignore. Under his guidance, United have strung together four consecutive Premier League victories, beating Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham. That surge has propelled the club back into the top four and revived hopes of a return to the Champions League.

Berbatov believes the transformation is rooted not just in tactics but in man-management. He praised Carrick’s ability to communicate with players in a way that makes them feel valued and trusted, creating a platform for his ideas to take hold on the pitch.

According to Berbatov, the squad is largely unchanged, but the mentality is not. He highlighted the renewed flair, belief and controlled arrogance in United’s play, describing the team as a joy to watch when they click into gear.

Still, he framed the remainder of the season as a proving ground. The coming months, he suggested, will reveal whether Carrick’s current bounce is the start of a lasting revival or a temporary surge.

United’s next test comes with a trip to West Ham United, where Carrick’s side will look to extend their winning run to five league matches and strengthen his growing case, even as Berbatov insists the club must continue to wait and see.