Michael Carrick has set out his initial vision for Manchester United, emphasising pragmatism and results as his immediate priority, but with the hope of delivering an exciting brand of football for the fans.
Carrick's Pragmatic Approach at Old Trafford
The 44-year-old was officially confirmed as the club's new interim manager on Tuesday night, taking over following the sacking of Ruben Amorim and a brief caretaker spell from Darren Fletcher. He is expected to lead the team until the end of the current season.
This marks Carrick's second stint in temporary charge at Old Trafford, having previously stepped in during 2021 before departing for a near three-season spell as Middlesbrough boss. The club intends to appoint a permanent manager in the summer, though Carrick will undoubtedly hope impressive results could put him in contention for the role full-time.
He inherits a Manchester United side sitting seventh in the Premier League and facing a brutal start to his tenure, with a Manchester derby at home to City this Saturday followed by a trip to Arsenal the following weekend.
"I Want to Enjoy Watching the Boys Play"
In his first interview, Carrick refused to be pinned down on a specific tactical setup, insisting the situation will dictate his approach. "You want to win games, that goes without saying," he told Inside Carrington. "There's different ways of doing it, different scenarios in games when you might have to play a certain way."
He stressed his love for coaching and development, stating: "For me, it's working with the players... helping them get better individually. Help the team improve and be there to support them."
While results are paramount, Carrick made clear his desire to bring entertainment back. "Hopefully we can play a really exciting type of football, be positive and bring excitement," he said. "I want to be off my seat, I want to enjoy watching the boys play and results obviously need to come with that. I'm buzzing to get started."
The Immediate Challenges and Squad Dynamics
Carrick believes his deep understanding of the club, forged during his successful playing career there, will be invaluable in helping younger players adapt to the unique pressures of representing United.
"I think there's a lot of talent in there, a lot of ability and a good number of younger players... learning what it actually feels like to play here," he explained. "It's an unbelievable place to play football, but it can sometimes take a bit of adjusting. I think that's part of me and my staff to help them go through that."
United's form has been inconsistent, with disappointing home results against Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth, and Wolves before draws at Leeds and Burnley. Despite an FA Cup exit, they remain just a point off fifth place, leaving the Champions League qualification spots within reach.
Key Issues for the Interim Boss to Address
Carrick's in-tray is overflowing with urgent matters. A primary concern will be striker Benjamin Šeško, whose season has been a mix of promising flashes and frustrating inconsistency. While he scored against Brighton, questions over his physicality and finishing persist.
Tactically, a major shift is anticipated. It would be a surprise if Carrick persisted with the unpopular 3-4-3 system used by Amorim. At Middlesbrough, he was a steadfast advocate of a 4-2-3-1 formation, a setup that appears to better suit the current United squad and could simplify instructions for the players.
This change could also facilitate the reintegration of Kobbie Mainoo. The young midfielder has endured a difficult campaign but could finally find a role in the centre of the park, an area where United have lacked a controlling presence akin to Carrick in his playing days.
Furthermore, a systemic shift might allow captain Bruno Fernandes to return to a more advanced, creative role. During Carrick's time as a coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Fernandes was phenomenally productive, averaging 0.81 goal contributions per game. Keeping the influential skipper content will be a top priority for the new management.
Carrick will be supported by a coaching staff including Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion, Jonny Evans, and Craig Mawson, while Darren Fletcher returns to his role as Under-18s manager.
