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There will be demands from Manchester United fans for Michael Carrick to get the job on a permanent basis should he be successful in his interim spell in charge. That's ccording to club legend Paul Scholes.

Carrick was appointed as interim head coach at Old Trafford last week, and he's enjoyed a successful start to his role. Despite having just a matter of days to prepare his team, United came out as comfortable 2-0 winners against rivals Manchester City and earned praise for their performance.

That result moved United up to fifth place in the Premier League table. They will look to replicate both the performance and result when they take on leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm kick-off).

Speaking on the Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet, Scholes has issued a prediction over the supporters' reaction if United continue to pick up positive results and impress with their performances between now and the end of the season.

"Michael Carrick didn't do a lot that was unexpected [against Manchester City]," he said. "He had a couple of players back from the Africa Cup of Nations which made a difference - Harry Maguire as well - I thought he was good next to Lisandro Martinez, as well.

"Like what happened with Ole Gunnar Solskjær, if Carrick does well until the end of the season, United fans will demand it [that he stays] - especially if he gets to second or third."

Scholes has also highlighted Carrick's own thoughts, with the former Middlesbrough boss having two extra reasons to want to be successful at Old Trafford.

"He'll be thinking, as well; 'I'm here not just for these games [until the end of the season]'," he added. "He's going to treat it as it's my job [not to lose]. 'Somebody's got to come and take it off me'.

"He might also have ambitions of managing another top club so, if he doesn't do very well, that could also go against him."

If Carrick wants the job on a full-time basis, then he's likely to come up against some big names in football management who have already been linked with the role. Atletico Madrid's boss Diego Simeone is the most recent to be linked - with the likes of Oliver Glasner, Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino also mentioned.