Jamie Carragher mocks Rio Ferdinand after Michael Carrick gets first Man Utd win

Jamie Carragher has poked fun at fellow pundit Rio Ferdinand following Manchester United 's win over Villarreal in Michael Carrick's first game in charge on Tuesday night.

United beat the Spanish side 2-0 thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho to book their place in the last-16 of the Champions League.

Carrick was taking charge of the side after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked as manager following the 4-1 defeat by Watford on Saturday.

It was the perfect result for the interim boss, who will continue to manage the side while the club's hierarchy search for a long-term replacement for Solskjaer.

United's win and Carrick's success prompted a tongue-in-cheek tweet from former Liverpool defender Carragher.

He wrote: "Man Utd might not thank me, but get the contract out put it on the table & let him sign it, let him right whatever numbers he wants, let him sign the contract. Carrick's at the wheel man! #VILMUN @ChampionsLeague."

Rather than seriously advocating for the 40-year-old to get the job on a permanent basis, Carragher was referring back to a famous line from Ferdinand.

Rewind back to March 6, 2019 and United had just picked up one of their most famous results under Solskjaer, who was then still the club's interim manager, having taken over from Jose Mourinho in December.

Two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a 94th-minute penalty from Marcus Rashford gave United a 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, sending United through into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Back in the BT Sport studio, Ferdinand could barely contain his excitement, as he urged United to hire Solskjaer as the full-time manager.

"Man United might not thank me, but get the contract out, put it on the table, let him sign it," Ferdinand said.

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"Let him write whatever numbers he wants to put on there - given what he's done since he's come in - and let him sign the contract and go..

"Ole's at the wheel, man - he's doing his thing. Man United are back!"

The phrase "Ole's at the wheel" became a touchstone for United's fans during the good times under the Norwegian - and a stick with which to beat the club during the bad times.

Ferdinand was on punditry duty once again on Tuesday, but he did not repeat his pleas to the United board on Carrick's behalf.

"This performance was more about soaking up the pressure and it reminded me of when Ole first took charge before he had actually signed a contract and they went on that incredible run," he said on BT Sport.

"I don't think they'll give it to Michael until the end of the season.

"One thing certain in my mind is they are actively looking for somebody to come in and be the interim manager to take us through to the end of the season.

"And they'll be looking for somebody else to come in to take over the reins come the summer.

"Man Utd have to be making inquiries now. If you want a particular manager who is in a job, those conversations will be going on now."