Casemiro chooses next Man United manager who is ‘like Sir Alex Ferguson’ | Football | Sport

Departing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has offered Michael Carrick his wholehearted backing to secure the manager’s position on a permanent basis. The five-time Champions League winner has even made comparisons that draw parallels between him and club legend Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 34-year-old, who is anticipated to join Inter Miami when his contract runs out this summer, has experienced a resurgence since Carrick took charge in January. Yet there’s one aspect in particular he has displayed during that period which Casemiro believes sets him apart as a contender for the permanent role. Casemiro, who was absent from Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate at Sunderland, featured on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel and characterised Carrick’s situation as a “big problem.”

When questioned by his host about the reasoning behind this, he went on to detail the swift improvements his soon-to-be former manager has introduced at Old Trafford. “He deserves to stay,” said the Brazilian. “The team plays very good. He will win any games. The team improves day by day. Game by game the team improves.

“So for me it’s a big problem because in my opinion he deserved this opportunity. So, especially for me, because he played in the midfield, he talked with me as a midfielder to a midfielder, it’s easier. But for me, he deserved the opportunity because the team is very comfortable. The team plays very good. We have big wins. So for me he deserved this opportunity.”

Ferdinand, 47, pressed further on what it is about Carrick and his management style that makes him such an appealing figure to play under. Casemiro explained it’s because “he’s played at this level,” drawing comparisons with former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti in that regard.

More specifically, though, Casemiro suggested the finest quality Carrick possesses is his deep knowledge and understanding of United. He used the recent encounter with Leeds last month as a prime example of the manager’s sharpness and awareness of what truly matters to the club.

“He’s very intelligent,” Casemiro continued. “But for me, the best thing he knows about the club. He understands the club. I remember we played against Leeds, and the meeting is about the history this game…But not everyone knows about Leeds.”

He went on to highlight how Carrick also referenced the 1958 Munich Air Disaster during preparations for that match. Ferdinand drew a familiar comparison: “Like Ferguson. This is what Ferguson does.

“It’s amazing. Yeah,” said Casemiro. “Because you see in the meeting he knows where to be. He knows, and for me [this] is very important.” United went on to suffer a 2-1 home defeat to Leeds following two excellent strikes from Noah Okafor. Casemiro himself netted United’s only goal, while Lisandro Martinez received his marching orders.

Carrick would probably feel honoured by being likened to his former United boss. And it is certainly the case that historical knowledge and experience of playing at United is one factor that would distinguish him from certain predecessors in the hot seat, such as Ruben Amorim.

In that sense, the Old Trafford icon has made good use of his time in capitalising on the assets he possesses. So while he may remain relatively inexperienced as a first-team manager, he is clearly drawing upon whatever advantages he does possess to demonstrate his credentials.