CARR-Y ON MICHAEL! Ole happy to let his No.2 shape Old Trafford future
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has revealed right-hand man Michael Carrick is shaping Manchester United’s vision for the future.
The Old Trafford boss has given his No.2 free rein to coach United’s emerging stars in the former midfielder’s own image – because he’s a “pure footballer”. Cultured Carrick – who won 34 England caps – quit playing in May 2018 after making 464 appearances for United to take up a role on Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff.
But while he was a junior member of Mourinho’s team, under Solskjaer he’s emerged as the brains behind the revolution at the club.
Carrick’s love of passing football always seemed at odds with the pragmatism of Mourinho’s less free-flowing philosophy.
The same goes for current Wales boss Ryan Giggs who often looked detached in his spell as an assistant in Louis van Gaal’s rigid regime at United. But hands-on Carrick, 38, now takes the lead in training sessions and is shaping United’s playing style on a daily basis.
Solskjaer freely admits his assistant is directing the way young stars like Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood are approaching their game.
As United head to West Ham – where Carrick began his career – the Norwegian boss said: “There have been many things that Michael has helped me with but it is also about the way he conducts himself.
“He has a clear idea of the way he wants us to play because he is a pure footballer.
“He likes to see the game played a certain way and I let him coach the way he wants because of how he views football.
“It’s great to work with him – but it’s also strange in a way. I have always had so much respect for him as someone I played with and also against.
“Suddenly we are now together on the coaching side and I decide when he is right – or wrong.
“We have our disagreements but not all the time because we share the same view of the game.
“We are very similar types with a very similar football philosophy, so we don’t have many quarrels.
“He will definitely tell me when he thinks I am wrong – and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“It’s the same whether it’s Michael or my other coaches Kieran McKenna and Mick Phelan. I am not someone who wants to work with ‘yes’ men.
“We all chip in and I value all of their opinions. Michael’s got a great knowledge of football and gives me some great insight. Of course, we played MANCHESTER UNITED’S 3-1 defeat at West Ham almost a year ago was one of the most painful lows of the Jose Mourinho era at Old Trafford.
But current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists the loss that day wasn’t all Mourinho’s fault as United made their worst start to a league season in 29 years.
“I remember the game and what I will say is that we have got a few more centre-backs available now than Jose had back then,” Solskjaer said.
“If I remember correctly, he had one centre-back in his squad and ended with Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic playing as centre-backs.
“I also remember that West Ham’s first goal by Felipe Anderson was offside and that kind of thing changes games. Football is about small margins.
“The first goal at West Ham was one of the clips we were shown when we were being instructed on VAR.
“We were told that goal should not have been given. So I look behind the results – and there were reasons why we lost that game last year.” STEVE BATES together and we’ve got the same experience of working under Sir Alex. But Michael has also had different managers here and elsewhere, so he can be a fantastic guide for me.
“He has helped my integration and helped me understand the changes made here in recent years.”
While Carrick handles the nuts and bolts of redefining United’s playing identity, it is Solskjaer who is credited with making the switch towards a younger, more dynamic team.
And he believes the progress they are making means grabbing fourth spot is not unrealistic.
“It’s wide open but all I keep telling the players is to focus on ourselves and our performances,” said Solskjaer.
“We need to keep improving but if we improve at the rate I think these young players will, then I believe we’ll be challenging for the top places at the end of the season.
“I am glad people can see our improvement because we feel we are on the right track.
“We are trying to change things and I know there are going to be some bumps along the way.
“But we’re trusting the players and if they make a mistake, so what?
“They won’t be left out because of a mistake because we’re urging them to implement what we have been working on out on the training ground.”