Gary Neville believes Michael Carrick is in pole position for Man Utd job but doesn't believe he is the right profile for the role

Gary Neville believes Michael Carrick has put himself in pole position to become the next Man Utd manager after earning Champions League qualification with a 3-2 win over Liverpool.

Carrick's side made a blistering start, scoring twice in the opening quarter of an hour, before being pegged back early in the second half.

However, a man the Man Utd boss brought back into the fold, Kobbie Mainoo, came up trumps to score the winner and seal the Red Devils' return to Europe's elite competition.

The victory was Carrick's 10th from 14 games since taking over from Ruben Amorim. His 32 points is the most in the Premier League during that period, which has left Neville believing that his former team-mate is primed for the permanent hot seat.

"There's no one really being seriously linked with the job. He's put himself in pole position with what he's done," Neville said post-match.

"I think there are things that have emerged that will give Man Utd fans comfort that they are in safe hands. Man Utd need some stability. They've not had that for the last few years, but he will bring that in the sense that everyone trusts him.

"Fans like him, the players obviously like him. The owners will trust him. Next year, he's got 55-60 games with the Champions League and surely they won't go out in the first rounds of the cup competitions. Then it's all a different level of management and scrutiny. It's a lot more challenging. Does he have the experience? Does he have the body of work to rely upon?

However, Neville is still not convinced that Carrick is the right man long-term, suggesting that the Old Trafford outfit need a head coach with experience of winning top titles.

"Some people say 'why don't you give him a year contract and give him a further year to stabilise things further?' I don't think I can argue with that," he added.

"But, if a world-class manager became available that has won titles, Manchester United should probably pursue that route because the last five managers have not had that super club experience. Michael would be another who hasn't quite got that."

By qualifying for the Champions League with games to spare, Carrick has smashed the club's primary goal for him out of the park, strengthening his case to follow in the footsteps of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019.

However, the 44-year-old was still not willing to be drawn into any discussions regarding his future.