CARRICK: I am, and I always will be, a United fan!
MICHAEL Carrick says he will always be a United fan as he left the club last night after 15 years at the Reds.
Having guided the side to a 3-2 win over Arsenal in his third game as caretaker boss before handing over to Ralf Rangnick, the former midfielder announced he was stepping down as first-team coach and leaving the club.
The news came as a surprise as Carrick - who won two and drew one of his games as caretaker - was expected to stay and work with the new interim manager.
But instead he has decided to cut ties with the club he joined as a player from Tottenham in 2006. He won the Champions
League and collected five Premier League winners’ medals as a player at Old Trafford.
Carrick said: “My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career.
“When I first signed over 15 years ago, I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined winning so many trophies and I will certainly never forget the fantastic memories both as a player and as a member of the coaching team.
“However, after a lot of thought and deliberation, I have decided that now is the right time for me to leave the club.
“I want to place on record my thanks to all of the players and a special mention goes to the backroom staff, working long hours with such a great group of people has been a real pleasure and I have made some long-lasting friendships.
“I am, and will always be, a Manchester United fan and will come to as many matches as possible. I would like to wish Ralf, the staff, the players and the fans all the best for the future and I look forward to being in the stands and supporting the boys as a fan.”
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He added: “It’s not been an easy decision to make, to be honest, but I feel it’s the right one. I’m content with my decision.
“I was meant to take some time off after I finished playing and I promised the family we would have some time together. It feels like the right time to step away. What a way to finish. It’s been the perfect night.
“It was 100 per cent my decision, over the last week, it’s been creeping in. I was conscious that I respected the club and I respected the new manager coming in and I wanted to make the decision before I spoke to him or made any contact with him.
“There was no crossover whatsoever. I thought it was the right thing to do for the club.
“Once I made the decision, that was final and I was happy with that.”
Carrick joined the United coaching staff following his retirement in 2018, working under Jose Mourinho and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He played 464 times for United during his medal-laden career with the club.
John Murtough, football director, said: “Michael leaves with the sincerest thanks and best wishes of everyone at Manchester United after 15 years of exceptional service to the club as a player and as a coach. While we are sad to see him go, we respect and understand Michael’s decision.
“He will always be known as one of the finest midfielders in the history of Manchester United, and, more recently, as an excellent coach who has worked tirelessly under two managers to help develop the strong squad which Ralf will now take charge of. We are grateful for the steady leadership Michael has shown through this period of managerial transition, and, while he is now stepping away from day-to-day involvement, he will always be welcome back as a legend of the club.”