Carrick insists that “Manchester United magic” is real as he refuses to rule out possibility of permanent job.
Carrick refuses to rule out permanent role as he insists United ‘magic’ remains.
In the meanwhile, Michael Carrick has denied that Manchester United has become “soulless,” but he has not ruled out taking over as the team’s permanent head coach at the end of the current campaign.
Carrick was given the task of managing United’s final 17 games of the season after being named Ruben Amorim’s replacement on Tuesday. He took over following Darren Fletcher’s two-game tenure as manager, which included Brighton’s FA Cup third-round loss at Old Trafford and a Premier League draw at Burnley.
In the summer, United wants to evaluate a number of applicants for the position of permanent head coach. Among the names in question are Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto De Zerbi, Andoni Iraola, and Oliver Glasner, who announced on Friday that he would be leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the current campaign.
Carrick led the squad for three games following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in November 2021. He played for United for twelve years, coached for three years before leaving in December 2021, and stated on Friday that he wants a long-term comeback to the team.
“I’m here because I enjoy the role and I wanted to do it and I’m hugely privileged to be in this position,” said the 44-year-old. “It doesn’t change whatever the term or whatever the length.”
There have been no discussions with Omar Berrada, the chief executive, and Jason Wilcox, the director of football, regarding Carrick’s long-term future. “We’re realistic about where we are at the moment, why I’m here,” said the former midfielder. “That doesn’t change how we go about it in the day-to-day and the focus and making decisions for the long term. All I can control is what we give the players and how we create the atmosphere around the group. We’ll see what happens after that.”
It was put to Carrick that the club has lost its soul. “I certainly don’t think it’s soulless,” he said. “There’s a magic around this place. Results and sometimes from the outside things look a little different but it certainly doesn’t feel majorly different on the inside.”