Michael Carrick has special bond with Man Utd star as old comments resurface | Football | Sport

Michael Carrick is poised to make his return to Manchester United, reconnecting with several familiar faces in the current squad. Notably, he’ll be working once more with Amad, whom he previously managed during his brief caretaker stint in late 2021.

Amad began the 2021/22 campaign at Old Trafford after his transfer from Atalanta. Carrick was part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s backroom staff when the winger joined, before stepping away in December 2021 once Ralf Rangnick assumed interim control. United’s new interim boss now makes his way back to Carrington under similar conditions. Yet, his path has crossed with Amad’s since departing United, courtesy of the player’s temporary stint at Sunderland.

The pair faced off as opponents when the Black Cats secured a 2-0 triumph against Middlesbrough, managed by Carrick, in January 2023.

Amad found the net to clinch victory for Sunderland on that occasion, drawing admiration from his one-time assistant boss.

“He does what he does,” Carrick remarked at the time. “He’s really talented, Amad. Good in tight spaces and does what he does with the ball.

“For the goal, that’s what he brings and I think that’s what he’s maybe brought a bit more is his end product from when I knew him when he was a little bit younger a couple of years ago. He’s doing really well.”

Carrick went on to reveal his strong familiarity with Amad, stemming from their time together at United, describing him as a “terrific footballer.”

More remarkably, the manager noted that the Ivorian had “jumped up a level again” since their last close working relationship.

Amad has previously expressed admiration for Carrick and the mark he left at Old Trafford. Upon arriving at United in early 2021, the winger willingly swapped his favoured No. 19 for the No. 16 jersey, given its association with club legends including Carrick and Roy Keane.

Yet, in Amad’s tribute, only one of those iconic figures received mention: “When I was told that I was getting the No. 16 shirt, I was happy because I know that Michael Carrick had previously worn that shirt for a long time and so it is a number worn by a legend of the club. So I have to respect the number and the players who wore it before me.”

The fact that Amad has retained the No. 16 ever since might be viewed as another gesture of reverence.