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Michael Carrick has been told to toughen up and emulate Sir Alex Ferguson if he wants to be a long term success at Manchester United.

Carrick has taken charge on an interim basis at Old Trafford following the sacking of Ruben Amorim. And the former United midfielder has made an impressive start.

Carrick has led United to six wins from seven league games, to lift them up to third in the Premier League table. He is now the strong favourite to be handed the role on a permanent basis ahead of next season.

But Gordon Strachan reckons Carrick is too meek and mild - and needs "anger and drive" of Fergie in order to bring the big trophies back to the fallen giants. Former United favourite Strachan told Covers.com: "Michael Carrick is obviously up there to be the next permanent Manchester United manager.

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“My take is that people always say United need to have a world class manager, but it's been proven that when big managers come into big teams, it doesn't always work. There's no guarantee of success at all. I think sometimes when you bring in a big manager, the drive and the passion isn't there anymore.

"Whether it's a young manager like Carrick or someone older, whoever takes the United job needs to have the anger and drive to succeed. That's exactly what Sir Alex Ferguson had. Those qualities are the bare minimum.

"A lot of the time with these big coaches it's that you don't realise they're world class until later on. Chelsea brought in Jose Mourinho after one good season - they all have to start somewhere. And only get labelled world class when they're in their 50s and 60s."

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Carrick is the toast of the Old Trafford crowd right now and was serenaded during the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. Asked how it felt, he replied: “It’s nice, obviously this place means a lot to me. To have so much positivity and everyone enjoying coming to the games and watching it, for me to have an influence on that, I’m not going to lie, of course it feels good.

"The players have got to take a lot of credit for that for what they put on the pitch. It’s certainly not all me. That connection with the supporters is huge, to feel that and for them to stay with us, even when there was a bit of a stuttery start, to get through the game and finish like that, it means a lot."

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