Youngsters impress Carrick’s inner fan

UNITED assistant Michael Carrick has explained why he’s enjoying watching the club’s current crop of youngsters as a fan more than a coach.

The Reds team that beat Brighton 3-1 on Sunday was the youngest named by any Premier League side this season and produced a performance that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dubbed their best of the campaign so far.

And Carrick, who is now part of the United coaching staff, admitted he couldn’t help but smile as Marcus Rashford and Andreas Pereira - two players who have come through the Old Trafford academy - were among the goal-scorers and Brandon Williams starred.

“It was nice to see,” said Carrick. “I think as a fan - never mind as a coach or part of the staff - to see the younger lads coming in with a freedom and a smile and the excitement of attacking football and feel the energy in the ground - I just enjoyed sitting back and watching it.

“It’s part of the history and traditions of this club. It lives on. It’s kind of the perfect position at the moment for the group that we’ve got.”

Carrick revealed he explains to the young players the responsibility that comes with playing for United.

“It’s to understand what it takes, the ups and downs that life, not just football, can bring that you’ve got to overcome,” he added. “To be able to get to the top and stay at the top are different things. As a player myself I was hugely privileged and fully aware of the position I was in to be able to represent this club.”