“Michael’s at the wheel, man. He’s doing it. He’s doing his thing. Man United are back.”
Even with a bit of poetic licence to edit Rio Ferdinand’s infamous piece of punditry, it doesn’t quite feel like the words or the sentiment quite fit this time.
With all the excitement after United’s victory at Paris Saint-Germain back in 2019 added to a three-month unbeaten run in the Premier League, you could forgive anyone for getting carried away. It was the best night of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was made the permanent manager of the club a fortnight later.
I’m not sure whether Ferdinand’s backing encouraged then executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to make his move but the sentiment was overwhelming.
This time around with Carrick it’s different.
Laurie’s exclusive on The Athletic this week that Carrick has received the support of chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox means he will follow Solskjaer in an encouraging interim period becoming permanent. The results have decided that. But there’s not the same sense of overexcitement as seven years ago. It just feels a little bit more calm.
And that’s no slight on the job he has done as interim head coach since January. Ten wins from 15 games has made him a nominee for the Premier League manager of the year. He’s completely transformed the team’s fortunes. A win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday secures third place, they may not even need that. It was inconceivable that qualification for the Champions League would be secured so comfortably when he took charge.
Carrick is a different character and has a different connection to the club despite enjoying similar success to Solskjaer as a player. The Norwegian was the baby-faced assassin, the cult hero striker whose goal sealed the treble. He’d already told a lot of stories about his glory days and “the boss” as he referred to Sir Alex Ferguson before staying permanently was even an option. Carrick hasn’t chosen that route.
Calmness has been the main attribute that has been praised for Carrick and it seems to have infiltrated its way around the whole United ecosystem. He isn’t universally popular with fans, some perhaps craved a bigger name boss, but he does seem to be with his players.
I’ve spoken to several of the squad in recent weeks who have all praised their head coach. Listening to a player of the calibre of Casemiro giving his backing has felt important. The Brazilian veteran compared him to Carlo Ancelotti and talked up how important it is that Carrick has walked in the United players’ shoes before. Not all departing players from the Premier League this summer would be as complimentary about their old boss.
We discussed the length of Carrick’s contract on Thursday’s Talk of the Devils and Laurie has now reported that a two-year deal has been proposed with the option for an additional year. Again sensible from the club. Calm.
He hinted in his Friday press conference that an announcement on his future was “close” and generally it does feel like there’s a plan for things to progress now. If Carrick and the players have built a platform for next season in these recent months then the hierarchy now must do their work in the summer transfer window to ensure the team can push on. A path forward hasn’t always been clear.
It’s felt like a good week — after the overreaction to the draw at Sunderland died down — with the FA Youth Cup final on Thursday and the Premier League 2 under-21 final later today. Even the sight of Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven supporting their younger team mates at the Joie Stadium was great. Carrick, his coaches and members of the hierarchy were also there. There hasn’t always been that same sense of togetherness across the levels in past seasons. The result was a shame for Darren Fletcher’s team but despite two cup final defeats and a runners-up place also to City in the league, it’s still been a brilliant development season for the group. Above expectations.
We also spoke on the podcast about the send off Casemiro will get on Sunday. The club have big plans to honour him despite his four years at Old Trafford not perhaps being as glorious as maybe he hoped they’d be when he signed. But that’s fine, it feels fitting. He’s a legend of football, if not United.
The way he has embraced the club, the culture and the fans has been brilliant to see. The way he speaks about what it all means to him makes you proud. It’s genuine. The club still has the power to have this effect on a multiple Champions League winner, an ex-Real Madrid player. That shouldn’t be underestimated. His son isn’t a Madridista, he’s a Red.
Maybe not one more year, but maybe one more backpost header from a Bruno Fernandes set piece to ensure the mood is properly buoyant at full-time and this season’s final act at Old Trafford is a positive one.
Man United aren’t quite back. But it feels like they are getting closer.
Assessing Amad
A lot has been said about Amad’s lack of goals and assists for United in 2026 — his last strike came in December, his last tee up in November. But speaking to him in the past couple of weeks that’s in complete contrast to how happy he seems at the moment.
The return to Sunderland provided the 23-year-old with a reminder of how far he has come. The 2022-23 campaign at the Stadium of Light was a huge success for him as his performances earned him a place in their supporters’ hearts and the club’s player of the year award as well. He was rebuilt by manager Tony Mowbray in the North East after a disappointing loan spell at Rangers in Scotland the season before. Amad’s tears at a message from his old boss in a Sky Sports interview shows how deep his appreciation and affection runs.
I’m sure he would have been just as touched to hear his current boss’ backing in the press conference last week when Michael Carrick praised his “fantastic” attitude and “work ethic”. “I’m a big fan of Amad,” added Carrick.
The head coach was forced to defend the winger after his error in the 3-2 victory over Liverpool when he gave the ball away just minutes after coming on at half-time to gift their rivals a route back into the match.
Carrick had already spoken to him after the game and told him not to worry about the mistake, reminding him that all players make them and even speaking to him about an error he had made as a United player against Manchester City.
Amad was the top scorer for the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this season and you could maybe point to that tournament as the moment that disrupted his United form. But he will be an important player for his country again at the World Cup in the summer and he seems ready for that.
My recent interviews with Amad are the most assured I’ve heard him be as a United player. His English is so much stronger, he’s matured and he’s being backed and still selected despite his lack of goals and assists. A return or two in the final couple of matches will help dispel any nagging concerns.
Red all over
With Michael Carrick poised to become permanent head coach, Andy had a look at eight priorities for him as he begins the role. A new set-piece coach could be on the agenda among other insights in the article.
Monday’s Talk of the Devils was a reaction to the 0-0 at Sunderland and became an analysis of what the draw told us about the future of some of the fringe players in the squad.
United lost 2-1 in first Manchester derby FA Youth Cup final in 40 years. There had been arguments over the staging of the fixture and Laurie and Critch have written about some of the complaints Darren Fletcher had over the celebrations as well.
Sunday will see United wear next season’s new home kit for the first time against Nottingham Forest. Carl has the details on the strip which pays homage to the 1977 cup final, even if it may look a little bit like this weekend’s opponents.
