Gary Lineker drops 'realistic' Michael Carrick interim verdict after Chelsea win as Man Utd prediction is made

Gary Lineker has shared his reaction to Michael Carrick’s impressive Manchester United bounce back against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

Michael Carrick was left licking his wounds after the March international break, with Manchester United losing 2-1 to Leeds United at Old Trafford last Monday.

The Red Devils then travelled to Stamford Bridge for a huge Premier League clash against the Blues amid United’s push for Champions League qualification.

Interim boss Carrick watched on from the Stamford Bridge touchline as Man Utd overcame Chelsea in a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League win at the weekend.

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Gary Lineker explains why Man Utd boss Michael Carrick did everything he could do in the ‘right’ way against Chelsea

The cards were stacked against Red Devils legend Michael Carrick for Manchester United’s Premier League encounter against Chelsea on Saturday evening.

Man Utd’s defeat to Leeds United was a key blow to his side’s push for a Premier League top-four finish and Carrick was hit with a defensive crisis as well.

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Carrick was without several Man Utd centre-backs at the weekend and the Red Devils interim boss had to rely on both Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker insisted that Carrick “realistically” pulled off what he could against Chelsea amid Man Utd’s limitations.

“A word, too, I think, for Manchester United,” he said.

“Big win for them away at Chelsea. I know Chelsea [had] one or two good chances in that game and they’re on a bad run now, Chelsea.

“But I think he’s done as well as he could realistically do. Michael Carrick.”

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ANOTHER assist for Bruno Fernandes! Surely now he breaks the record!!!

Gary Lineker’s prediction for Man Utd under Michael Carrick after the Chelsea victory at Stamford Bridge

Lineker is now confident that Man Utd will be one of the Premier League teams to secure Champions League football for the 2026-27 campaign.

The 65-year-old ex-England and Barcelona striker feels that Aston Villa and Liverpool are also in a strong position alongside Man Utd in the tail end of the season.

“I think we know which teams are probably going to be in the Champions League now with Chelsea losing to Manchester United,” he added.

“It’s looking good for United. Good win for Villa. Couple of goals for Ollie Watkins as well at the right time. A crucial win, I think, as well for Liverpool.”

Man Utd are third in the Premier League table and are level on points with fourth-place Aston Villa ahead of their encounter with Brentford at Old Trafford.

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