After his fourth consecutive victory, with a score of 2-0 against Tottenham Hotspur on February 7, interim coach Michael Carrick appeared in the interview area next to the Old Trafford stadium tunnel with a radiant smile.
After giving interviews to the same television station twice earlier that day, the former Manchester United midfielder humorously said he was surprised that "the question has not yet been raised".
4 wins and one draw in 5 matches since Carrick took over the team on January 13 are clear positive signs for Man United. However, equally important is the calmness he brings. In 14 months of turmoil under Ruben Amorim, Man United has always faced countless difficult questions, both on and off the pitch. In contrast, Carrick has brought a rare sense of stability and peace.
Favorable results of course play an important role, but Carrick also proactively stabilized the dressing room in other ways. In the late stages of the Amorim era, the club's leadership used to feel worried every time the Portuguese coach prepared to speak to the media.
With Carrick, that worry no longer exists. He does not publicly put pressure on the owners, does not criticize players, and always skillfully avoids controversial issues related to the selection of the squad or the team's performance.
In line with the values that Carrick considers core at Man United, players are reminded that wearing the first team shirt is a privilege. That is also the spirit that he has imbued throughout 12 years of playing at Old Trafford. Despite giving the whole team - especially players who were once sidelined by Amorim like Kobbie Mainoo - the opportunity to rebuild, Carrick still emphasized personal responsibility for what happened in the past.
In less than 2 months, Carrick has partly brought the "Red Devils" back to a stable orbit. Previously, he was a member of the coaching staff of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and could not hide his regret when the Norwegian strategist was sacked in November 2021. When temporarily leading the team in 3 matches at that time, Carrick once asked the players to re-examine themselves. This time, he continued to apply the same philosophy.
Carrick won this opportunity partly thanks to his composure in conversations with CEO Omar Berrada and Football Director Jason Wilcox. According to internal sources, although he really wanted to return to Old Trafford, he did not show impatience. Carrick remained silent throughout the negotiation process and even when the appointment was made public, close people said he almost "disappeared" from familiar chat groups.
After leaving Middlesbrough in the summer, Carrick spent time on charity work and football commentary. He was once invited to comment on the Manchester derby, but immediately canceled it when he knew he would sit on the coaching bench instead of in front of the screen.
Close associates believe that Man United is the only job that can bring Carrick back to football full-time, especially after he showed no interest in negotiations with Wolves in November. For former players who were pillars under Sir Alex Ferguson, the opportunity to return to Old Trafford is always of special significance.
Carrick had his own personality, although most of his working style was influenced by Ferguson. He also quickly restored the central role of the academy.
One of Carrick's first decisions was to inform a group of young players that they would officially train with the first team. Under Amorim, academy players were usually only called up at the last minute. Carrick was different, he actively followed and grasped the development progress of each young talent, instead of waiting for intervention from key players like Bruno Fernandes.
During the 12-day break between the draw with West Ham and the away trip to Everton, Carrick gave the players rest, but he himself was still in Manchester to watch the youth teams play. He quietly observed his son, Jacey, in the U16 team jersey, before exchanging with U18 coach Darren Fletcher after the youth team's 3-1 victory.
According to those who understand the internal situation, Carrick is almost absolutely focused on immediate work and rarely discusses long-term plans. He has never discussed the possibility of bringing Marcus Rashford back in the summer, but the academy is an exception, because developing young players has always been seen by him as a core value. Shea Lacey is one of the young talents who made a strong impression on Carrick.
With 13 points earned out of a maximum of 15 points, Carrick has brought Man United closer to a European cup spot, and even the opportunity to return to the Champions League is not far away. That achievement helps him create an opportunity to be officially appointed, although the board of directors still affirms that they will carry out the full coach selection process.
