Michael Carrick revealed how he realized he was going to be Manchester United’s manager
The 44-year-old Englishman has recorded four wins and one draw since his return to Old Trafford.
While many expected a blockbuster announcement or a high-stakes meeting in a glass-walled boardroom, Carrick’s appointment was surprisingly low-key. He revealed that he was simply driving toward Newcastle when the message arrived.
"I was actually in the car," Carrick told BBC Sport. "It was a very nice message to get, of course, but I took it quite steady. I don’t know why, but it just felt right."
For a man who spent years under the tutelage of José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the transition felt less like a shock and more like destiny. There was no wild celebration on the shoulder of the M1. Instead, he simply called his wife to share the news: "This is what’s happened, this is what we’ve got."
Beating Out the Legends
Carrick’s path to the interim role wasn't uncontested. After Darren Fletcher filled the gap following Rubén Amorim’s departure, the club briefly flirted with the idea of a romantic return for Solskjaer. However, after a rapid-fire round of interviews, the hierarchy decided to look forward rather than backward. Carrick, fresh off a hiatus after his successful stint at Middlesbrough, was the "unique individual" the board decided to trust.
The results speak for themselves. Carrick’s tenure began with a blistering streak of four consecutive victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham. A hard-fought 1-1 draw against his former club, West Ham, only solidified the feeling that United had found their footing again.
No Hairdryers Here: The Carrick Method
Naturally, comparisons to Sir Alex Ferguson are inevitable. When asked if he would ever deploy the legendary "hairdryer treatment" to motivate his squad, Carrick laughed off the suggestion.
"I don’t think I could mimic that! I wouldn’t even try," he admitted. While he viewed Ferguson as a "genius" for knowing when to push and when to support, Carrick is carving his own path. He isn't a shouter; he's a tactician. His focus remains on the psychological side of the game—understanding the person to get the best out of the player.
The Permanent Goal
Currently, United sits comfortably in the Top Four, and the dream of returning to the Champions League is becoming a reality. But the question remains: is Carrick just a "stop-gap"?
The manager himself isn't hiding his intentions. "For me, it’s the ultimate job," he stated. "I’m here to do a job, build a good team, and have success. I don’t decide how long it lasts, but I always plan long-term for the benefit of the football club."
With a massive clash against David Moyes and Everton looming on Monday, the audition continues. If Carrick keeps winning, the "interim" tag might just become a thing of the past.
