‘Michael Carrick told me he was done – but he’s what Man Utd need’ | Football | Sport

Michael Carrick has already made a huge U-turn over his future as he fights for the Manchester United job on a permanent basis. Carrick, who is unbeaten in his five games since taking over for the axed Ruben Amorim until the end of the season, has galvanised the Red Devils in a way that appeared impossible at the turn of the year.

United have catapulted into the top four, the Champions League qualification places, with four wins in five and a draw. Carrick has restored a positive atmosphere to Old Trafford and the pressure is being piled on Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS decision-makers to hand Carrick the job full-time.

But there were a few eyebrows raised when he pushed for the interim role in the first place. Viv Anderson, Sir Alex Ferguson’s first signing when the legendary United boss took over in 1986, had been told by Carrick himself that he was not interested in pursuing management anymore after leaving Middlesbrough in June.

Anderson explained to Express Sport, with BetSelect: “I was at the LIV Golf in the summer, and Michael had just left Middlesbrough; he was there with his son. We had a chat and talked about football in general.

“I asked if he would go back into management, and he said, ‘No, I’ve had my time now, Viv.’ And then six months later, he’s Manchester United manager. So it’s funny just how things change.”

Carrick has led United once before, in 2021, following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal. He left when Ralf Rangnick arrived just over a week later, but managed two wins from two games at the time, before joining Middlesbrough almost a year later.

After nearly three years at the Riverside, which involved a Carabao Cup semi-final run and a fourth-placed Championship finish, Carrick was sacked at the end of last season.

That exit appeared to sour any appetite for a return to management, but once Carrick received the call about what he has described as the “ultimate job”, it proved too hard to resist. And should the team continue on this trajectory, it would be hard to argue against Carrick getting the gig permanently.

“He’s done fantastically well,” Anderson added. “But so did Ole when he first took over, and they gave him the job in the end. I think we’ve got to see how he does until the end of the season. I like how he doesn’t get too carried away or too low. I think he’s a very good coach by all accounts. Talking to the players, they’re saying he’s a really good coach.

“Maybe that’s what Manchester United needs. Somebody has been there, seen it, done it in that shirt at that football club. At this moment in time, I think he might be just the right person.

“And if they wanted to get somebody else, it’s like, who’s going to be available? They’ve tried all the best managers. They’ve had [Jose] Mourinho, they’ve had [Louis] Van Gaal, they’ve had all the best managers going. I’d see how Carrick does between now and the end of the season. And then sit down and have a really good think about it.”

Carrick has admitted to planning for the long-term future of the club, albeit while still in the dark about whether he will lead United next season, or if another head coach comes in.

When asked on Friday about if he wants the full-time position, Carrick replied: “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.”