Carrick Takes the Helm at Manchester United

In early February, after the departure of manager Amorim, Manchester United initially considered bringing back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for a second tenure, following his previous stint from 2018 to 2021. Ultimately, the club opted for former midfielder Michael Carrick, who signed a contract until the end of the season. Carrick expressed that it was a tremendous “honour” to lead his former club and expressed his commitment to maximizing the potential of the players, who were positioned sixth in the league after Amorim’s exit.

In a statement, Carrick remarked, “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour. I understand what it takes to succeed here; my focus is on helping the players meet the high standards expected at this prestigious club, which I know this group is capable of achieving.

“Having previously worked with many of these players and closely observing the team over the years, I have complete faith in their talent, dedication, and potential for success. There is still much to fight for this season, and we are prepared to unite everyone to deliver the performances that our loyal fans deserve.”

In his inaugural match as manager, Carrick guided the team to a remarkable 2-0 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League, marking their best performance of the season. Lisandro Martinez, who was named man of the match, commended Carrick for the rapid improvements made in just a few days.

Martinez stated, “One key message from Michael Carrick was to ‘use the energy of the people.’ I believe we accomplished that today. When we are united, it’s impossible to lose at home. This team defends as a unit, not just through one or two players. We maintained a compact formation throughout the match, which instilled confidence in our duels. There was a noticeable shift in energy among the players today. Ultimately, the team’s victory is what matters most to me.”

While some may have harbored disappointment over missing out on the managerial position, Carrick revealed that Solskjaer reached out to congratulate him on his appointment and successful start.

Carrick commented, “Yes, I’ve spoken to him. We share a close bond and have experienced much together, so his support has been invaluable. He is a remarkable person whom I respect greatly. He wished us well and was pleased with our results.”

Although Carrick acknowledges that Solskjaer is always available for advice, he prefers to operate independently. Following their triumph over City, United faces an even greater challenge in an away match against Arsenal this Sunday. Carrick emphasized the importance of not becoming complacent despite their recent success.

He stated, “It won’t be a simple ‘copy and paste.’ I don’t subscribe to the idea of just repeating previous performances, as each match is unique. Even if we perform well in the first half, the second half will present different challenges. We managed to maintain control of the game last week, and credit goes to the players for that. However, we must build on this momentum. If we perform at our best, I believe we have a strong chance.”