Michael Carrick is wasting no time getting down to business as Manchester United’s interim manager, with the club legend arriving to training while many are still asleep.
On Tuesday evening, Carrick was announced as the Red Devils caretaker boss until the end of the season.
And just several hours later, the 44-year-old was pictured at their Carrington training ground as he looks to turn around their fortunes.
The club legend was pictured driving into training into the early hours of Wednesday morning alongside Jonathan Woodgate.
Woodgate, who worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough, has joined him as part of his backroom staff.
As well as Woodgate, Steve Holland, Travis Binnion and Jonny Evans will also work with and under Carrick.
Michael Carrick was pictured driving into Manchester United training on Wednesday morning
United’s new interim manager arrived at their Carrington base alongside Jonathan Woodgate
While Carrick and Woodgate arrived when it was still dark outside, the man who played a key role in their appointments, director of football Jason Wilcox arrived later that morning.
Midfield duo Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro were pictured arriving to training later too, as was centre back Harry Maguire.
As detailed by Daily Mail Sport on Tuesday, United will assess their options in the months ahead before making a permanent appointment, and sources say the club are still unlikely to do much transfer business in the January window.
‘Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour,’ said Carrick.
‘I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.’
Carrick spent 12 years as a player at United and served as first-team coach under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before stepping in for three games as caretaker when the Norwegian was sacked in November 2021.
The former England midfielder was chosen ahead of Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy to replace Ruben Amorim, who was fired as head coach last week after 14 months in charge at Old Trafford.
Carrick faces a tough start with United playing Manchester City in the Old Trafford derby on Saturday lunchtime followed by a trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal the following weekend.
He inherits a team currently seventh in the table with the aim of qualifying for Europe this season after United were dumped out of both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle.
Carrick, who was on a family holiday in Barbados with Evans and Wayne Rooney when United axed Amorim last week, has been out of work since he left Middlesbrough in June.
United’s director of football Jason Wilcox said: ‘Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United. He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club towards regular and sustained success.’
Club sources say they didn’t want to be in the position of changing coaches in mid-season and sack Amorim, but ‘results and behaviours’ made it necessary to act immediately as the team struggled to challenge for the top places and he clashed with Wilcox.
They added that United wanted to bring in someone who knows the club to make the transition as fast as possible, and interviewed ‘three excellent candidates’ in Carrick, Solskjaer and Van Nistelrooy.
However, Carrick’s strong knowledge of the players, ability to lead a team and work as part of a set-up weighed in his favour. The club are also ‘extremely impressed’ with Darren Fletcher’s contribution as caretaker. The Scot has returned to his role as Under-18s boss.
Although Carrick hasn’t worked with Holland before, it was felt that his skillset and experience would be beneficial in the circumstances.
Premier LeagueManchester United
