Carrick lifts lid on Man Utd dressing room mood after replacing Fletcher | Football | Sport

Michael Carrick has expressed his elation at returning to Manchester United, describing it as an “unbelievable feeling”, and believes he’s walking into a “positive” dressing room. The club confirmed on Tuesday night that Carrick will take the reins as interim manager for the remainder of the season. Carrick had been without a job since his dismissal from Middlesbrough in June last year.

Despite leading Boro to the Championship play-offs in his first season at the Riverside Stadium, he was let go following two lacklustre seasons that saw them finish eighth and 10th respectively. The 44-year-old impressed Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada during the selection process, securing his return to United. He steps into the role left vacant by Darren Fletcher, who coached United for their last two matches after Ruben Amorim‘s exit.

In a conversation with the club’s media team on Tuesday, Carrick shared his feelings: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to come back through the doors, really, and be part of the club again,” he said. “You know, it’s been part of my life for so long. The fact that I left the club for a number of years recently has never really left me, you know. I’m quickly focused on doing the job.”

“It’s a big responsibility, a massive pleasure and a privilege to be here, but we want to do a good job and this place deserves that. So massively, massively focused to get started and get going.”

Since Carrick’s last visit, Carrington has seen significant refurbishments, particularly in the main training facility. “I’ve been here a few times for different things, but never in the building. Hugely impressive,” he commented.

“We want the best in class. We want to be pushing boundaries, pushing limits, and always pushing for more. And certainly pushing building, the set-up, and the layout.

“And I have to say, the atmosphere within the building, it’s hugely positive, really welcoming, being a really good environment to settle into already. Coming into the building… I was feeling calm and composed.

“It felt quite normal for me. That’s not playing it down, it just feels like I’m in a good place with good people who are pulling in the same direction.”

Looking back on his period away from Old Trafford, Carrick acknowledged he’s acquired crucial experience since leaving United in 2021. He continued: “I’ve learned loads. This [United] was all I knew for so long and to go out to Middlesbrough, I learned an awful lot.

“Of course I made mistakes, you have strengths, things I look back on and think I could have done better, that’s life and part of learning and become better. Having a bit of time out as well. I feel in a really good place to be here.”

Carrick will encounter his first challenge this weekend when Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford.