Man Utd

AFTER 15 years, Michael Carrick said an emotional goodbye to Old Trafford.The former Red Devil announced he was leaving the club following a successful stint as caretaker boss and a rollercoaster playing career that saw him hit the highest highs and plummet into a devastating depression.
Michael Carrick walks away from Old Trafford with his head held high after a successful stint as caretaker bossCredit: Reuters
His final act, a 3-2 win over fierce rivals Arsenal, meant he ended unbeaten in his three games – with two victories and one draw.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, he revealed: “It’s not been an easy decision to make but I feel it’s the right one.
“I was going to take time off after I finished playing and it never happened. It feels like the right time to step away and what a way to finish.
“It’s 100 per cent my decision. Over the last week I was conscious I respected the club and the manager coming in. I thought it was the right thing to do for the club and for Ralf [Rangnick] and I’m quite happy with that.
“We were in a situation where there was a responsibility to see these games through. The loyalty to Ole is a little bit of a factor but there were a lot of things that came into my decision.
“I’ve had great times, great memories and I’m proud of the players over the past three games.
“I just told them and they were a bit shocked and surprised, a bit emotional in the changing room. I held it together, just about. It’s not been easy to keep it away from people but I had a job to do.”
Although his future now may belong in managing, it’s as a player West Ham, Spurs and United fans also remember him fondly.
PLAYING CAREER
It all started at Upton Park for the humble Wallsend-born midfielder.
Often an underrated cog in a side, he provided stability for his defence while delivering simple passes to more attacking players.
Wallsend-born Carrick began his football career at West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
It was at Man Utd Carrick enjoyed most success, winning five Premier League titlesCredit: Getty – Contributor
In 2008 Carrick lifted the Champions League trophyCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Carrick enjoyed a trophy laden career at UnitedCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
After making his debut aged 18 for the Hammers, where he was a member of their FA Youth Cup team in 1999, he lost two seasons through injury after a growth spurt.
But he would end up playing 159 times in the East End, winning an Intertoto Cup, before moving to Spurs.
Two seasons later, Sir Alex Ferguson paid £15million to bring him to the North as a successor to Roy Keane in midfield.
Trophies that had eluded him at his previous clubs came aplenty at United.
In all, he won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League.
He was also named Manchester United’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2012-13.
Louis Van Gaal called Carrick his “trainer coach during the game”. So, it was inevitable what his next move would be.
TRANSITION TO COACH
Made club captain when Wayne Rooney left, Carrick announced he would retire after the 2017-18 season.
Awaiting him was a coaching position and working alongside Jose Mourinho and his assistant Rui Faria.
“He has qualities we believe that can make him a good coach,” the Special One said before his final game at Old Trafford.
When Mourinho was sacked, Carrick was kept on at the club and began working with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Jose Mourinho handed Carrick his coaching apprenticeshipCredit: Reuters
When Mourinho left, Carrick worked alongside Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: Getty – Contributor
After becoming caretaker boss, Carrick made the decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo to the benchCredit: Rex
The pair formed an alliance, often seen deep in conversation in the dugout over tactics.
But, his calling would soon come as caretaker boss when the Norwegian was dismissed.
In his first game, he saw off Villarreal in the Champions League with a 2-0 win.
Then, he his gambled decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo saw his side fight for a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea.
For his last game, Carrick would bring back a rejuvenated Ronaldo who would score twice, including a winner from the spot in a 3-2 win over Arsenal.
BEATING DEPRESSION
However, despite his assured persona, Carrick has had to battle his demons.
He admitted he punished himself so badly for gifting Barcelona a goal in the 2-0 Champions League final defeat in 2009 that it left him hardly wanting to play for the next 12 months.
The former United midfielder opened up about his torment in his autobiography Michael Carrick: Between The Lines.
Carrick wrote: “I was loose with a header and Iniesta was on it in a flash, passing to Messi. Barcelona are ruthless in transition.
“I was close to Messi but couldn’t prevent him passing back to Iniesta who got ahead of me and Anderson. Iniesta slipped the ball to Eto’o, who got away from Vidic.
“I slid in but only got close enough to Eto’o to see him score.
Carrick admitted he punished himself for gifting a goal to Barcelona in a 2-0 Champions League final defeatCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Humble Carrick admitted his mistake saw him sink into a deep depressionCredit: Getty
“In quiet moments in the weeks after our 2-0 defeat, that passage of play kept returning to haunt me. I couldn’t get it out of my head. It sounds melodramatic, but I’ve never recovered from it.
“The memory of conceding such a soft goal is always there in my mind. Giving the ball away to any team was dangerous, but to Barcelona it was suicidal.
“That was the worst I’ve felt on a football pitch after a game by a mile. I was mentally devastated, angry and frustrated by my performance and by United’s.
“I’ve never talked about Rome with the Boss. I can’t, it’s too painful. Even now, almost a decade on, the gloom from Rome has not completely gone.”
WHAT RONALDO SAID
As the dust settles, and Carrick leaves the Theatre of Dreams with his head held high, the question of what happens next remains.
He will, no doubt, spend time with his family before embarking on his next chapter.
Harry Maguire was one of the Man Utd stars who said an emotional goodbye to Carrick after the gameCredit: EPA
Cristiano Ronaldo also wished his old team-mate and manager well for the futureCredit: Getty

Should that be as a manager, well he has the endorsement of arguably the greatest player the world has ever seen.
“Michael Carrick was a class act as a player and he can become a great coach as well,” Cristiano Ronaldo revealed on Instagram after news broke that Carrick was leaving.
“Nothing is impossible for this guy. Personally, I’m proud to have played with him by my side as well as with him as a manager on our bench.”
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MAN UTD’S new boss Ralf Rangnick was a disciplinarian at previous club RB Leipzig, where he had a wheel of fortune containing forfeits for disobeying stars.The German manager, 63, was finally confirmed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successor this week, and will join the club as interim manager before staying on as a consultant for a further two years.
Man Utd’s stars could play Ralf Rangnick’s wheel of forfeits if they behave badly
Ralf Rangnick’s wheel of misfortune with 12 forfeits from his time at RB Leipzig
And it could mean that Red Devils stars Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo might face punishments like training in a ballerina’s tutu or working in the club shop, if they step out of line.
Rangnick came up the idea after scrapping fines believing a professional footballer’s time is more valuable than money.
He said in 2018: “Fines rarely bring anything. It hurts the players more when they have less time.”
And his assistant Jesse Marsch mentioned the idea of a wheel with he had picked up from America.
The concept is simple; spin the wheel and await your forfeit. There are 12 outcomes – 11 bad, and one ‘Get out of jail free’ card.
Here’s the 12 outcomes on Ralf’s dreaded wheel.
1. Pump up the balls, get them on the pitch, clean them
For 30 minutes per day for a week, this task will see a player having to make sure balls are pumped up and ready to use.
Better still, they’ve got to be spotless.
Footballs will have to be pumped up by misbehaving starsCredit: Getty
2. Train an academy team
An essential part of United’s success has been through their kids.
If a player lands on this, they will have to train one of the academy teams for four hours when they have a free day.
3. Stadium tour guide
It would be your lucky day, if you were a supporter and Ronaldo was showing you around Old Trafford.
But, should a star misbehave they will have to act as a tour guide for the Theatre of Dreams for one hour.
Players will have to act as tour guide at Old Trafford if they step out of line with RangnickCredit: Getty
4. Get Lucky
View it as a get out of jail free card.
Should a player spin and fall on this, they will face absolutely no punishment and will be counting their lucky stars.
5. Mow and take care of training pitch
As you can expect, the pitches at Carrington are perfectly manicured.
This task would see a player assisting the groundsman in mowing the grass and tending to the training areas for four to six hours within a training week.
Groundsman at Carrington will be assisted in looking after training pitches by naughty starsCredit: Rex

6. Wear a tutu
Possibly the worst on the list and most embarrassing.
Play up in front of Rangnick, and you’ll be forced to wear a pink ballerina’s tutu for 90 minutes at training.
7. Fill water bottles
Rehydration is crucial to athletes when it comes to training.
This forfeit would mean the naughty player will have to mix drinks ahead of training and fill water bottles for 20 minutes per day for the whole week.
Filling water bottles for team mates is one of Rangnick’s forfeits on his wheel of fortuneCredit: Getty
8. Club shop assistant
Here’s a punishment you wouldn’t want to face during the festive period.
This would see a player having to work as an assistant at the Manchester United’s Megastore for three hours.
9. Serve food in team cafe and clean tables
For 30 minutes per day, a star would have to serve his team mates their dinner cooked by the chef.
Worse still, he would be expected to clean up after them when they’ve finished.
Cristiano Ronaldo might be serving up club team mates their dinner, if he misbehavesCredit: Getty
10. Work as a kit assistant
Again, not a glam job for a well-paid United star.
This task would see someone have to take care of dirty shirts, and make sure boots are clean for 30 minutes per day.
11. Load the team bus
Man Utd have an amazing team bus, worth £400,000. So, you can imagine you can get a lot of stuff in it.
And that would be expected of you, if you mess Ralf about.
For an hour and a half on an away day, you’d have to load the bus with bags.
Players may have to load up the team bus if they cross RangnickCredit: Getty
12. Buy gifts for staff
With the salaries United players are on, this won’t dent their wages too much.
But, land on this one and you’ll have to buy small gifts for up to 60 members of staff.
So, will Rangnick enforce his wheel of forfeits on United’s stars?
Time will tell if you see Paul Pogba training in a tutu.
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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER isn’t the first Man Utd legend to be given his marching orders.The Norwegian, 48, was finally sacked (for the second time in his career) by the club after a dismal 4-1 defeat at the hands of Watford over the weekend, following weeks of speculation and a dismal run of form.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn’t the first ex-Man Utd star to be given his marching orders as a boss
Brendan Rodgers, Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane have been linked with the vacant post.
But, the Red Devils will do well to steer clear of any former players.
Many who played under legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a foray into management, most ended up flopping.
However, there’s one who was a major success…
GARY NEVILLE
ASTONISHINGLY, after working mostly as a TV pundit and co-owner of Salford City, the ex-right back was handed the reigns at Valencia in 2015.
It was an appointment that lasted a meagre 28 games.
The biggest low including a 7-0 drubbing to rivals Barcelona.
“I never should have said yes to the job,” Neville said in 2019. “I wasn’t qualified for the job and didn’t wake up every morning and think about coaching.
“There was already far too much going on with the Sky stuff, writing articles for a newspaper and doing all the stuff in Manchester with Salford.”
VERDICT: FLOP DEBUT BUT TIME TO PROVE US WRONG
Gary Neville famously flopped as Valencia boss
STEVE BRUCE
A FORMER United captain, Bruce is now somewhat of a journeyman manager.
He’s managed 10 clubs, including Wigan Athletic twice. Major honours have escaped him though, with FA Cup runner-up at Hull City in 2014 perhaps a highlight.
Most recently, he was the brunt of Newcastle fans who lambasted his tactics.
His first sacking came at Huddersfield in 2000. Since then, he’s been fired from jobs at Aston Villa and the Toon.
VERDICT: FLOP – MOST OF THE TIME
Steve Bruce was recently sacked by Newcastle

PHIL NEVILLE
NEVILLE’S first taste of being boss came with England’s lionesses.
In 2018, he led the women’s team to glory in the SheBelievesCup.
However, a year later finishing fourth in the World Cup seemed to be a bit of a disappointment.
After stepping down from his role with the Three Lions, he was appointed as boss of David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
However, they finished fourth from bottom in the MLS Eastern Conference and failed to make the play offs.
VERDICT: FLOP SO FAR
Phil Neville is proving to be a dismal appointment for Inter Miami
RYAN GIGGS
IN 2014, after David Moyes was fired, Welsh legend Giggs was hired as United’s interim manager – winning two of his four games in charge.
Following a stint as Louis Van Gaal’s assistant, he took on the Wales national job in 2018 – leading his country to qualify for Euro 2020.
But in 2020, he was forced to take gardening leave.
VERDICT: TOO EARLY TO CALL
Jury’s out on Ryan Giggs’ career as a manager
ROY KEANE
AS a leader on the pitch, Keane appeared to be management material.
And things seemed to get off to a good start with Sunderland, who he helped gain promotion to the Premier League.
However, he stepped down in 2008 amidst a player mutiny and a dismal run of form.
Worse was to follow at Ipswich Town, where Keane was sacked when The Tractor Boys dropped to 21st in the Championship in 2011.
VERDICT: FLOP
Roy Keane was sacked by Ipswich Town in 2011
JAAP STAM
STAM played in the same sides as Keane, and himself was a tough competitor.
Most recently, he was dismissed as boss of MLS team FC Cincinnati having won four of just 25 games.
Before that, he handed in his resignation with Feyenoord bosses after 4-0 thrashing to rivals Ajax.
On our shores, Stam is remembered for his time at Reading. He enjoyed a successful first season, leading the Royals to the play offs.
However, it went downhill the following year. One win in 18 league matches was enough for Stam to be given his marching orders.
VERDICT: FLOP
At Reading Jaap Stam was given the bullet following a dismal run
BRYAN ROBSON
CAPTAIN Marvel has had a 17-year career as a manager, taking in jobs with the likes of Middlesbrough, Bradford City, West Brom, Sheffield United, Thailand, and then Thailand’s U23s.
His most successful period came at Boro, who he helped gain promotion. Between 1994-2001, Robson also led the club to three Wembley cup final appearances, although they lost each one.
A stint at Bradford City saw Robson officially sacked for the first time after just 28 games in charge and a winning percentage of just 25 per cent.
At West Brom he pulled off the great escape, with his side bottom of the Premier League at Christmas.
The following year, though, they were relegated and Robson left by mutual consent.
He also sacked by Sheffield United in 2008. He hasn’t managed anyone since the Thailand job ended in 2011.
VERDICT: FLOP
Captain Marvel Bryan Robson endured 17 years in management but hasn’t been in a job since 2011
MARK HUGHES
LIKE Robson, Hughes appeared to be tailor-made to be boss – doing decent jobs with Wales and Blackburn.
That scored him a big job at Manchester City in 2008, who were then taken over by Sheikh Mansour two months after he arrived.
However, after spending a fortune, including signing the disastrous Robinho for £32million, he was sacked after 18 months with nothing to show but a 10th place finish.
After a bust-up with Mohamed Al-Fayed, he resigned as Fulham boss 11 months after his appointment – with Al-Fayed labelling the Welshman a “strange man”.
Sackings at QPR, Stoke and Southampton then followed.
Officially, he’s the most sacked out of the United legends.
VERDICT: BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AFTER WALES AND BLACKBURN JOBS
Mark Hughes has been sacked four times – more than any other ex-Man Utd star
PAUL INCE
‘THE GUVNOR’ has been out of a job since 2014, since leaving Blackpool, where he was once handed a five game ban for berating an official in the tunnel.
In the lower leagues, Ince did a stellar jobs at Macclesfield Town in a player-manager role, before then getting Milton Keynes Dons promoted to League Two and winning the FA Trophy.
In 2008, however, when Blackburn Rovers asked him to make the step up to the Premier League, Ince proved to be out of his depth.
After three wins in 17 games, he was given the bullet.
VERDICT: FLOP
Paul Ince couldn’t hack it in the Premier League as a boss
PAUL SCHOLES
WITH one of the greatest football brains in the modern era, Scholes was surely going to make a decent coach?
Maybe too soon to tell. He spent just 31 days at crisis club Oldham between February and March 2019, until walking away following a disagreement with the owners.
“In the last week there was a couple of issues with a couple of players,” Scholes revealed in a chat with BT Sport in 2019.
“Experienced pros that I felt didn’t deserve to be treated the way the club wanted to treat them.
“I didn’t need the hassle of that. I really like the players, really respected them and would have done anything for them. But once I get told ‘don’t play him’, that’s when it is time for me to go…
“That only happened once, but that was the end of it. There were subtle hints along the way, but that was the end of it.”
VERDICT: TOO EARLY TO CALL
Paul Scholes spent just 31 days at crisis club Oldham
GORDON STRACHAN
THE Scot spent five years at Coventry City, mostly doing his best to avoid relegation.
Eventually, his luck would run out in 2001 when the club were demoted from the Premier League.
He was sacked the following season after a poor start in the First Division.
Within weeks, Strachan was back – this time in the Southampton hot seat. He resigned as Saints boss in 2004, after wanting to take a break from football
At Celtic he was victorious – winning three league titles in a row. But in his fourth season, the Hoops lost out Rangers and he handed in his resignation in 2009.
His time at Middlesbrough was forgettable. With the club languishing in 20th position, he commendably tore up his contract and refused compensation.
For his last act, Strachan walked away from the Scotland job after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
VERDICT: MIXED BAG
On our shores, Gordon Strachan struggled at Coventry City and Middlesbrough
WAYNE ROONEY
Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, Rooney is the most recent former Red Devil star to try his hand at managing after being hired in 2020 by Derby County.
But it’s been a tumultuous time for the club, who are in dire financial trouble.
They narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season, but it looks highly unlikely they will be able to repeat that feat – after they were docked 21 points for financial irregularities and sit rock bottom of the Championship with zero points and 18 games played.
Hard to judge Rooney on this though, given his hands are tied.
VERDICT: TOO EARLY TO TELL
Wayne Rooney’s first foray into management at cash-strapped Derby can’t be judged
LAURENT BLANC
The exception to the rule, Laurent Blanc is one of the world’s leading managers and has been linked with the Old Trafford job.
Currently in Qatar with Al-Rayyan, the France World Cup winner has won all his trophies in his homeland.
He landed the title with Bordeaux in 2009, then won three successive championships with PSG, as well as two French Cups and three French league cups with the latter in just three years.
The only blot on his copybook, perhaps, was his time as France boss, who he could only lead to a quarter-final of Euro 2020 before standing down.
But, he’s never been sacked.
VERDICT: HIT
Laurent Blanc is the exception to the rule, enjoying success as a boss
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PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino appears to be the favourite to land the Manchester United job… at least in the eyes of Sir Alex Ferguson.According to reports, Fergie is leading the charge for the Red Devils to appoint the ex-Spurs coach as their next manager.
Sir Alex Ferguson is a big admirer of Mauricio Pochettino and wants him to get the Man Utd jobCredit: Getty Images – Getty
When the Argentine, 49, first landed on our shores with Southampton in 2013, he caught the eye of the legendary Scot.
His philosophy of attacking play combined with an ability to nurture and empathise with players resonated with Sir Alex.
In 2016, they began a friendship off the pitch – with Poch mesmerised by the most successful British manager of all time over lunch at a posh Mayfair restaurant.
And last season they met up at the Lowry hotel, when Paris Saint-Germain played Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Pochettino was appointed by the Saints in January 2013.
Just 12 days later he would face off against Sir Alex’s Manchester United at the Theatre of Dreams – the only time the two met as managers.
Before the game the bosses warmly embraced. Despite playing against the Premier League leaders, Southampton took the game to their opponents.
A 2-1 defeat and a spirited performance showed that Poch’s methods on the training ground were already working. Fergie was impressed.
“I have to say, Southampton in the second-half were the best team that’s played here this season,” he said after the game.
Fergie and Poch first encountered each other when Southampton visited Man Utd in 2013Credit: Rex
Fergie was impressed with how the Saints played under PochettinoCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
“They played exceptionally well and I think we were a bit fortunate to win the game.”
Fergie retired at the end of the season, with his team champions.
Poch, however, was the rising star – overseeing impressive wins against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, as Southampton recorded their highest Premier League points tally ever and finished in eighth place.
GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER
Fergie and Poch’s paths wouldn’t cross again until three years after their first encounter. By this time, the latter was impressing as boss of Tottenham, turning the North Londoners into a title-challenging side.
In 2016, Mauricio attended the LMA League Managers Association’s president’s dinner with his trusted assistant, Jesus Perez.
Naturally, Sir Alex was there and the three became engrossed in conversation.
It was decided that they would meet for lunch, when time permitted.
“We had a short chat at the LMA dinner and we both said, and Jesús, that it would be good to meet one day,” Pochettino revealed.
“Both of us were interested to know each other.”

Fergie and Mauricio Pochettino leave Scott’s in Mayfair after their lunch togetherCredit: MagicMomentsUK
MEETING OF MINDS
Two months later, Ferguson and Pochettino were seen leaving Scott’s in Mayfair after a secret lunch.
The purpose of the meeting, clearly, was a meeting of minds. According to Mauricio in his book Brave New World, they drew similarities with the jobs they initially had to do at their clubs.
“[Ferguson] spoke to me about how he had to restructure everything when he arrived at United,” Pochettino said. 
“He did so in keeping with his own philosophy, even though they finished 11th two years out of three, followed by 13th, sixth, second and only after that did he achieve league success.
“His Manchester United side were like the Tottenham team that I inherited when I took over, and the chat reassured me about following my own path.
“Why aren’t there more Fergusons? Because football is like an express train without any stops. 
“It’s almost impossible to find someone in charge who is willing to be involved in taking unpopular measures. 
“Sir Alex always says, ‘Many times you have to make decisions that screw you over emotionally, that won’t be understood and you won’t be able to explain.’ I agree.
“Managers live in a perpetual state of solitude, even when surrounded by people at all hours.”
Pochettino and Ferguson share a similar ethos when it comes to footballCredit: Getty
FAN BOY
For Pochettino, his meeting with Fergie was the ultimate fan boy moment.
“It was a dream come true. I felt like a teenage footballer all over again, listening to a knowledgeable coach,” he revealed.
“I sent the photos that we took of us together to everyone. John McDermott (Former head of player development at Spurs) commented that I seemed to be in a trance. He called me a ‘hero worshipper’.”
Pochettino admitted he borrowed from Fergie’s wisdom, as Perez sat on the table next to the pair drinking a £114 bottle of Brunello di Montalcino (2011).
“Myself and Sir Alex spoke, and Jesús drank,” Pochettino laughed.
“I learned many things. It was two hours and it was very emotional. Every word, every sentence he told us, was a big lesson.
“Of course, it can help me to become a better manager. You can read books but there he was in front of us, with his charisma and personality. You understand why he is Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It was difficult for me to sleep that night, because it was fantastic to meet him. When I started my career as a manager, he was always my inspiration, my reference, and when you can share two hours with a person who, for me, was the greatest manager in the world and the history of football, you can only enjoy it. I wanted to stop time but it was impossible.”
STILL PALS
Since that lunch, the pair reportedly text regularly.
Last season, ahead of PSG’s Champions League semi-final with Manchester City, Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted at the Lowry hotel – where the French side were staying.
As he left, flanked by the club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, it was clear he was there to see Pochettino, and perhaps pass on some tips to overcome United’s fierce rivals.
The latest reports suggest Manchester United are confident of appeasing Fergie and appointing his first choice candidate.
Ferguson was spotted leaving the Lowry hotel in Manchester with PSG club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after visiting his friend, PochettinoCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

The Manchester Evening News also claim Pochettino wants to move to Old Trafford, and is prepared to leave PSG mid-season to fulfil his dream.
He is also said to be unhappy living alone in a Paris hotel and misses England.
However, it could cost up to £10million in compensation to release him from his contract.
Although that’s a steep fee, if you ask Fergie it would certainly be money well spent.
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