Most football experts rate Erik ten Hag's first season at Manchester United as a qualified success.
The Old Trafford manager led his team to the Carabao Cup in February, and the Reds are inching closer to the top four and, with it, a spot in the Champions League for the upcoming season. With a final versus Manchester City coming up next month, United still has a chance to win the FA Cup.
There is reason for hope, even though Ten Hag's side is still a work in progress. He deserves praise for the role his efforts have played in restoring the club's sense of identity and conviction.
However, it would appear that Jamie Carragher does not consider Ten Hag's accomplishments with United this year to be on par with those of Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui and Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil.
After Brighton's 3-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday, Carragher posted on Twitter: "What a performance from Brighton yet again today, their manager could be Manager of the Season. Has there ever been so many candidates for that award?! Pep, Arteta, Howe, De Zerbi, Emery, Frank, O'Neil, Silva, Lopetegui."
After controlling Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, Pep Guardiola is poised to win City's fifth championship in as many seasons. While Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton remain a long shot to make the Champions League, Eddie Howe's Newcastle are on the verge of finishing in the top four.
After a disastrous start to the season, Unai Emery has completely changed Aston Villa, and Thomas Frank's Brentford and Marco Silva's Fulham are both expected to finish in the top ten. Wolves and Bournemouth, respectively, were guided to Premier League safety by O'Neil and Lopetegui.
Varane tipped to play important role in FA Cup final showdown against Manchester City
At the weekend, Raphael Varane made a comeback for Manchester United and contributed to the team's achievement of yet another clean sheet.
Following an injury sustained in the first leg of the match against Sevilla last month, the France international defender was back in the starting lineup.
Raphael Varane has returned for the remaining four league games as well as the FA Cup final, dispelling original concerns that he may miss the rest of the season.
Varane recovered well from his absence and played 81 minutes in United's 2-0 victory over Wolves. The victory was made possible by goals from Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho.
Raphael Varane's comeback helped United get back on track after a slump that included two straight losses.
With two victories needed from the next three games, the team is now one step closer to claiming a spot in the Champions League.
Varane's experience will be crucial to United's chances in the FA Cup final, which is the game on which United is really focused.
Danny Simpson, a MUTV analyst, brought up this issue when he informed the network that Varane's return impressed him following the team's victory over Wolves.
“It’s perfect timing. Him and Martinez, the relationship they had, just to have one of them in there marshaling the back four, with David as well, Casemiro in front, that experience settles the whole team," he stated.
“It bodes well for the rest of the season and the FA Cup final. He’s going to be massively important if we are going to get our hands on that trophy.”
Varane's comeback allowed United to reassign Luke Shaw to his preferred left-back position as well. However, Luke Shaw has been outstanding at center back, but United has seemed to be lacking something at left back.
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