Mikel Arteta and Michael Carrick have been named on the Premier League manager of the season shortlist, and they are the two names that matter most here. Arteta has Arsenal top on 79 points from 36 matches, with 24 wins, 7 draws and only 5 defeats. Carrick’s case is built on 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in 15 Premier League matches as interim manager at Manchester United.
Why Arteta's case is built on more than the title race
Arteta’s nomination is not just about the fact that Arsenal are still in the title race. They lead Manchester City by 2 points with 2 games remaining, and they have conceded only 26 goals, the best defensive record in the division. That is a strong enough case on its own.
The league table does most of the work for him. Arsenal’s 24 wins show consistency across the season, not just a late surge, and the defensive numbers back up the broader picture. If the award is supposed to recognise sustained excellence, Arteta is the clearest title-linked nominee on the list.
Why Carrick's short spell has earned real weight
Carrick is the other obvious headline. The interim boss has overseen 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in 15 Premier League matches, a return that would stand out over a full season, let alone in a short spell. He also guided Manchester United to Champions League qualification, which gives his nomination a clean, concrete marker beyond the raw win total.
There is a separate detail in the coverage worth flagging. Sports Mole describes the award as a six-man shortlist, while Standard refers to a six-names nomination list. The wording differs, but the pool being discussed is the same. That does not change the main point, which is that Arteta and Carrick are the most convincing names in the frame.
Michael Carrick said: "The interim boss has overseen 10 wins, three draws, and two defeats in 15 Premier League matches."
The best argument for Carrick is that his spell changed the tone of United's season quickly. Ten wins from 15 is not a small sample fluke, and the Champions League qualification piece gives the nomination a proper team outcome, not just a nice-looking run.
With the shortlist now out, the award will come down to whether voters lean toward Arteta’s title push or Carrick’s turnaround. United’s qualification and Arsenal’s lead over City keep both cases live, and the result should say plenty about what the panel values most when the votes are counted.
FAQ
Will Mikel Arteta win the Premier League manager of the season award?
Arteta has a strong case because Arsenal are top on 79 points from 36 matches, with 24 wins, 7 draws and only 5 defeats. They have also conceded just 26 goals, the best defensive record in the division, and lead Manchester City by 2 points with 2 games left.
Why is Michael Carrick on the Premier League manager of the season shortlist?
Carrick’s nomination is built on a sharp interim run at Manchester United. He has overseen 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in 15 Premier League matches, and he also guided United to Champions League qualification.
Who are the leading names on the Premier League manager of the season shortlist?
Arteta and Carrick are the headline names on the shortlist. Arteta is there for Arsenal’s title push and defensive record, while Carrick is rewarded for turning Manchester United around quickly after taking over midway through the season.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
