Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘Titles don’t make manager’
Late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho – his first in a Manchester United shirt – sent United into the last 16 of the Champions League and lifted the mood after a dismal few weeks.
The performance was far from perfect – Carrick could take credit as the introduction of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in the 66th minute changed a game Villarreal had edged to that point – but this was all about taking victory and restoring confidence.
“The result obviously is a major plus from the run we’ve gone on, we can’t hide that,” Carrick said.
“To get that feeling of winning a football match for the players is huge, and to keep a clean sheet, David (De Gea) was important again, so all round there’s a lot of positives to take. The biggest I’ll take is how everyone adapted, the reaction and how they pulled together.
“In situations like this there’s mixed emotions. It’s a test of people and you find out who the real characters are, who’s there with you and who’s not. I thought everyone stuck together in terms of supporting me and my staff and we managed to get the win, which is very pleasing.”
PEP Guardiola believes Mauricio Pochettino can be considered an elite manager without major trophy triumphs to his name.
Guardiola will come up against the former Tottenham boss when Manchester City host the Argentinian’s Paris Saint-Germain side in the Champions League tonight.
Pochettino has been linked with the new managerial vacancy at Manchester United, but his only silverware as a boss came in the Coupe de France last season.
Guardiola said: “You can be a top manager and not win titles. The managers that have the chance to win the titles are at top, top clubs with good investments and exceptional players. Otherwise, for a manager, it is impossible to win.
“That doesn’t mean the managers in the Championship or not in the top six of the Premier League cannot be excellent managers in tactics, communication, leading.
It’s not necessary to win titles.”
■ LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp will make player welfare top priority heading into the Champions League dead rubber at home to Porto tonight.
Victory last time out against Atletico Madrid means Klopp’s side qualified for the last 16 with two matches to spare.
“We always respect the competition, but we have to think about ourselves and the situation of our players first,” he said.