“Incredible really”: Gushing Carrick raves about what “fantastic” United star has done since Amorim’s sacking

Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick has indicated where he stands on assuming the job on a permanent basis.

Flying start

Carrick is enjoying a dream start to life at United since he was appointed in December last year as a temporary replacement for Ruben Amorim.

He has overseen five games, winning four and drawing one. In an extremely short span of time, Carrick has implemented a front-footed and aggressive style of play that has galvanised supporters. At present, United are in fourth place in the Premier League and on course for a guaranteed Champions League finish.

Several players, including Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Matheus Cunha have expressed just how much they enjoy working with Carrick.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that United’s exhaustive search for a new manager includes Carrick as a formal contender for the position. More recently, it was claimed that he is in pole position to secure the job.

The United legend spoke to BBC and was asked whether he wants to stay beyond the end of the season. He all but confirmed he wants to stay in place.

Carrick’s remarks

He answered, “It’s not a stock answer – for me, it’s the ultimate role. I’m really enjoying it, I love what I’m doing. I’m fortunate. I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it’s not the fact that I believe I can do it and I’m here to do it.”

“I said it when I came in – there’s the sentimental side of that… of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing. But, actually, I’m here to do a job now and to make a good team and be successful.”

“I don’t decide how long that’s going to be but I love being here and and while I’m here, I’ll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That’s how I believe it should be.”

Asked if he is happy, Carrick replied, “Yeah. Have I smiled enough for you?! I’m loving what I’m doing. Again, you know… really good people. The staff are fantastic, the players have been unbelievable. It’s a really good place to come in every single day – to drive in and look forward to being here.”

“And then, obviously, around the city and globally, the reaction and the support that you get – it’s very hard to describe it. It’s incredible. So, yeah, I’m delighted to be here.”

Carrick explained how events unfolded to him being named interim head coach.

“I was actually in the car. I was driving on the way up to Newcastle at the time when the message came through. It was a nice thing to hear – of course it was – but I was quite calm about it actually. I don’t know why, but it just felt right. And that’s not me being arrogant or blase in any way – it just felt quite normal.”

“You get a good feeling from it, but I’ve been here for so long and experienced so much that probably, at some point, I was always hoping in the back of my mind that the opportunity would come along – and thankfully it has.”

“Listen, I was delighted obviously. To be at this club is special, so I’m not playing it down, but it wasn’t the case that I came off the phone shouting and screaming and celebrating on the motorway or anything. I just called my wife and said, ‘this is what’s happened, this is where we’re at.’”

On early preparations, he explained, “Obviously assessing what needs to be done, what needs to be put in place, what staff, what that balance looks like. And it’s condensed into quite a short space of time. Putting the staff together was something that we had to get right and wanted to get right. So, I was really happy with that – how it came together… I was absolutely delighted with the staff.”

“It’s about getting the best out of the players, isn’t it? So, like you say, the first conversations… that first impression goes a long way. I’ve been on the other side when someone new comes in the room. My message, to be honest, was: ‘I’m here to support you. I’m here to help you. We’re here to push you.’ Ultimately, we want to get good results here, but there’s ways of doing it and hopefully they’ve felt that support so far.”

Carrick refused to be drawn on whether United had been underachieving. Instead, he pointed to the squad’s inherent talent and made it clear his only concern was hitting the ground running.

Kobbie Mainoo is one of the players who has attracted the most attention since Carrick’s arrival. Cast aside under Amorim, Mainoo has started every game under Carrick, performing brilliantly in all five games. A return to the England squad now appears to be on the horizon.

Carrick praised Mainoo as a “huge talent” to the BBC, but emphasised that letting him rediscover his rhythm is the current priority over addressing areas for improvement. He also hailed just how quickly Mainoo has slotted into top form after a long period of uncertainty and playing a fringe role.

“I’ve known Kobbie a long time. I started working with him when I think he was 13 or 14, when I was starting to do my coaching badges – a good few years ago. Just little bits. And then, obviously, when I was here the first time, he was in and around a little bit.”

“So I think knowing him and having experience with him and seeing him perform at such a level on such big occasions… I said earlier about coaches being able to cope with being here and at the level to deal with it. What Kobbie’s done at such a young age is quite incredible really.”

“We forget how young he still is. I was just a big fan of watching him play and knowing what he was capable of. So it wasn’t really a big decision to play him. And, to be fair, it’s not easy when you haven’t played to find your rhythm and find your form.”

“There’s things he can get better at, things he can improve on, but we haven’t really got started on any of that because we’re just letting him go and find his flow and find his rhythm of playing football again. I’ve been really conscious of not giving him an awful lot – a couple of little pointers, a bit of positional things and some little bits here and there – but trust in what he is.”

“He’s a fantastic footballer and he’s got a huge talent.”

United are next iin action on Monday when they face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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