Man Utd interim manager Michael Carrick gives a clear response on the topic of testing his skills against Oliver Glassner ahead of their Premier League showdown.
On 1 March 2026 GMT+7, Michael Carrick, acting manager of Manchester United, gave an interview ahead of the 28th matchday of the 2025-26 English Premier League season, as they host Crystal Palace tonight at 21:00.
Before kickoff, Manchester United sit 4th with 48 points, but Liverpool's 5-2 home win over West Ham United has drawn them level on points, putting Liverpool 5th in the Premier League standings. Crystal Palace are in 13th place with 35 points.
A key highlight of this match is the skill test between Michael Carrick, who is currently managing Manchester United on an interim basis until the season's end, and Oliver Glassner, Crystal Palace's manager, who is widely regarded as a top contender for the permanent Manchester United manager role.
Michael Carrick also remains a possible candidate for the permanent position at Manchester United, having remained unbeaten in six matches (five wins, one draw). This match is a valuable opportunity to prove his abilities against Oliver Glassner, his direct rival for the job.
However, Carrick said this rivalry is not a motivating factor for him before the game; instead, it is a chance for Manchester United to climb to 3rd place, overtaking Aston Villa who remain on 51 points after losing to Wolverhampton on Friday.
If Manchester United win tonight, they will also reach 51 points, matching Aston Villa, but will move into 3rd place due to a superior goal difference (Man Utd +11 / Villa +8).
Regarding the managerial rivalry with Oliver Glassner, Carrick said, "It's not something I even think about until you mentioned it. It makes no difference at all."
"I have full respect for Crystal Palace and Oliver, considering the team they have and the role they are performing, but for us, this is just the next game."
"We are in a good place. We feel we are moving forward. The important thing is what's ahead of us, and we have to strive to reach our goals, which is a higher league position. That's the only thing I am focused on right now."
