The ex-player and ex-interim manager and now current interim manager addressed the media for the first time ahead of his second debut in the dugout at Old Trafford against Man City. A pretty easy one to start then 😅.
This first part of the presser didn't really involve the game itself (despite it's magnitude) but more about what he expects for the rest of the season, improvements that are needed, speaking to club hierarchy and more ⬇.
Carrick says he met with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers with them "wishing him all the very best" ahead of his debut tomorrow afternoon and for his interim spell.
Similarly to Ruben Amorim, Carrick says that he is working closely with both Director of Football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada.
The interim boss also says that it feels great to be in the position he's in but that he's also "eager to succeed" and "it's a big and important job."
In terms of the external noise and criticism from ex-players, mainly Roy Keane, Carrick says that that is not putting added pressure onto him. "It’s totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on."
He adds that he already knows what he needs to improve upon when it comes to how they want to work with the players. On what success is, the interim believes it has to do with improvement. "If you improve the individuals, then you create a better team and results.”
The former midfielder says that qualifying for European football would be a step in the right direction in terms of achieving the ultimate goal which is to be near the top of the table.
Final Thoughts
Expectedly, Carrick spoke pretty well. He didn't say anything out of turn nor anything that would make us think that he is deluded.
Other than saying that it was nice to see the owners. Like bro, stop lying 😅.
I'm sure they would have wished him all the best and hope he does well so as to cover their own arse for cocking up with Amorim, transfers and just the club for over a decade. Speaking to Berrada and especially Wilcox is something that I feel I need to advise Carrick against because we all saw how things panned out with our last manager. They probably informed Carrick to not wear the same sneakers as Amorim 👀.
I just can't with this board anymore. They give me little and less hope even with Carrick saying he knows what needs to be improved and that he's eager to succeed and all that jazz. It isn't his fault. He's saying the right things and I'm sure he will do his absolute best but we know that this has gone beyond the manager or even crap players.
Speaking of which, City have just signed two of the best players in the league in Antoine Semenyo (who will probably start and score against us tomorrow. He already has a goal at Old Trafford for Bournemouth. You can read my preview here) and Marc Guehi. These guys were already better than most and have strengthened even further. That is ambition.
What do we do?
Fuck all ❌.
It's not like we've just sacked a manager and are in one of the worst positions we've ever been in as a club. It's not as if we need better players in order to reach those goals mentioned by Carrick.
No, it's not like that at all.
It's a big and important job yes, but almost impossible because of how it's run. Can't believe Berrada and Wilcox haven't used some of the experience they gained from City in terms of how to do good, quick deals. Like, what was the point of hiring them from there if they weren't going to bring in some of that expertise?
As for the outside noise, there will always be criticism especially during times like these. I do feel the ex-players can go overboard with their words but sometimes do hit the nail on the head. Roy Keane was right to question why certain coaches were employed as part of Carrick's backroom staff due to their lack of experience and in Jonny Evans' case, being recently retired.
I to question it because it shows a club that panicked after the sacking of Amorim. None of it (the sacking and his potential successor) was planned indicating a more reactive approach than proactive. INEOS also previously stated that they have and want the best in class at United. Are these coaches that?
We ain't doing anything this season with these guys and I mean the inexperienced coaches, crap players and a board that doesn't know what it's doing. European football is only still up for grabs because others have been inconsistent.
I hope things go well for Carrick himself but beyond that I must admit, with how much focus and pressure there is on the board (this is the most I've ever seen), a part of me wouldn't mind if this season went terribly wrong. That will increase the heat and perhaps cause at least INEOS to leave?
Tbh though, I really don't know what I want. This is what this board has done to me: made me confused.
Michael Carrick conducts first press conference as Man Utd interim coach | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)