Michael Carrick was called away mid-interview to speak with Sir Jim Ratcliffe following Manchester United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal on Sunday. The dramatic win, sealed by a late stunner from Matheus Cunha, dealt a blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations.

Arsenal initially took the lead when Lisandro Martinez inadvertently scored an own goal just before the half-hour mark. However, Bryan Mbeumo capitalised on a disastrous backpass from Declan Rice to equalise for United before half-time. Patrick Dorgu then put the Red Devils in front, only for Mikel Merino to seemingly salvage a crucial point for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Yet, it was Cunha’s spectacular strike in the dying minutes that clinched all three points for United. The result puts United in fourth place in the league table, strengthening their position in the race to secure a Champions League spot next season.

Carrick has now overseen wins in his first two matches at the helm. Jan Age Fjortoft, a former Premier League striker turned broadcaster, revealed that Carrick was summoned to speak with Ratcliffe just as he was about to interview the ex-England international.

Fjortoft wrote on X: “Was standing at my position waiting for our Micheal Carrick – interview today. Just as I was ready to ask the first question, a representative from Manchester United stopped my preparations and said: – Michael, Sir Jim wants to see! So out he went, having a chat with him in the tunnel, and we got Carrick outside at our table pitchside, where we could ask him about his ‘meeting.'”

During a subsequent interview with Viaplay, Carrick was pressed for details about his exchange with Ratcliffe in the Emirates tunnel. He replied: “No, not much as you would expect, I think. There’s a lot of happy bodies around the camp today and he’s delighted as well. So it was nice to see him.”

Peter Schmeichel then cheekily probed the United manager, asking whether he’d requested a trip to his office, prompting a grinning Carrick to respond: “No, not yet, Peter. I think it is nice when you can have that feeling with a big win like this, you know, coming away from home. Last week was good for different reasons. This one is pretty special. Two good games – it’s about what’s next now and moving forward.”

Reflecting on the victory in the capital, Carrick said: “We understood the start of the game was going to be like that, as much as we tried to turn the momentum in our favour.

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“I think we understood how the game was going to go and the flow of it. I thought we started to take the ball and connections through the pitch, had that composure and a few moments gaining a bit of confidence as well.”

He added: “We were having a decent spell and seemed to be coming into the game when they scored, which was disappointing. Again, we showed the character to come back and there were stages in the game where you have to defend.

“They make you defend the box really and it’s challenging at times, but I thought we had enough in the game to keep believing in the confidence and I always fancied us to score.”

Speculation has mounted over whether Carrick merits permanent consideration following his impressive beginning, but Roy Keane, who has previously had disagreements with the United manager’s wife, firmly opposes the notion. When pressed for his view, Keane told Sky Sports: “The job? No, you’re being silly now. You serious? He’s had two great performances, but anybody can win two games.

“It’s what he does at the end of the season. Even if they do get into fourth, I still wouldn’t be convinced he’s the man for the job. Absolutely not, I still think they need a bigger and better manager, but he’s got the opportunity, what a chance for him and, you know what, he’s taken it, so, fair play to him.”