Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Bold and exciting: Carrick has proved he’s got what it takes to be a top boss
MICHAEL CARRICK did enough in his three games as Manchester United caretaker to show he will become a manager in his own right.
The players were shocked when Carrick announced he was leaving the club, after 15 years as a player and coach, following the 3-2 win against Arsenal on Thursday.
But if he was to apply for the manager’s job at one of the country’s top 25 or 30 clubs, I would take him in a heartbeat.
In his three games running the show at Old Trafford, Carrick was brave enough to drop Bruno Fernandes for a crucial Champions League game against Villarreal in Spain – and United won 2-0.
He was brave enough to leave out Cristiano Ronaldo at Premier League leaders Chelsea, where they earned a creditable 1-1 draw, and he beat a rejuvenated Arsenal, despite falling behind to a freak goal.
A lot of people said Carrick should have left United when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked last month, but who woud have held the fort before Ralf Rangnick’s work permit as interim manager was approved?
Carrick showed he is prepared to make big decisions in team selection, to pick a team with structure, and to encourage players to be brave on the ball instead of settling for the safe option of passing sideways or backwards.
I know young players at Old Trafford will miss him because he was a good influence around the place, especially for those making the difficult transition from academy to first-team level.
And wherever Rangnick takes the club, I hope that technical director Darren Fletcher will stay to provide continuity and preserve United’s proud traditions as a conveyor belt of outstanding home-grown talent.
But now the 40-year-old Carrick has cut his ties with
Old Trafford, I wouldn’t be surprised if his next move was to become a full-time manager in his own right. Like old England teammates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, he belongs to a generation of coaches who are equipped to succeed at a high level. I thought
Carrick arguably got the best football out of Fred since the Brazil midfielder came here. I thought the way he handled Ronaldo’s omission at Stamford Bridge last weekend was hugely impressive and the result justified his decision. And his body of work, as a player and coach, means Michael Carrick is now ready to prosper as the main man at a club who can match his ambition.
It is by no means impossible that he will return to Old Trafford as a visiting manager one day – and leave with three points.