In a few hours in London, the big test for Michael Carrick and Manchester United will face Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick ended up being considered for the same job after Ruben Amorim was sacked at the beginning of January after just over a year as manager.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who wanted confirmation that the job as interim manager became permanent at the Champions League qualification, was dropped completely on the eve of the Champions League in favor of less experienced Michael Carrick.
Now Michael Carrick talks about his close relationship with former teammate and partner Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
The two have spoken after Michael Carrick won the race for the vacant manager’s job. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called Michael Carrick, it became clear he landed, worked and wished him luck.
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“Yes, I’ve talked to him. We are close. We’ve been through a lot together, so he’s been fully supportive of us, as you’d expect.
“He’s a fantastic man, and I respect him immensely. He wished us all the best and was happy that we got the right result,” Michael Carrick said according to Goal. “Those who know Ole Gunnar Solskjaer know you can expect kindness, out in the real world it’s not as obvious.
Carrick just got off to the best possible start at United when they beat rivals Manchester City.
When Amorim was sacked in early January, it initially looked like United would bring Solskjaer back for a second spell as manager, the first being from 2018-21. In the end, however, former United midfielder Carrick was preferred, and the 44-year-old signed a contract that lasted until the end of the season. After his appointment, Carrick admitted that it was a great “honour” to lead his old club, and that he was determined to get more out of these players, who were in sixth place after Amorim’s departure.
He said in a statement: “It is an honour to be in charge of leading Manchester United. I know what it takes to succeed here; My focus now is on helping the players reach the standards we expect at this incredible club, which we know this group is more than capable of producing.
“I have already worked with a number of the players and have obviously continued to follow the team closely in recent years. I have full faith in their talents, dedication and ability to succeed here.” There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to bring everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal supporters deserve.”
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Carrick gets off to a dream start after returning to the club
In his first game in charge of United, Carrick led their stunning 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend, their best performance of the season. Lisandro Martinez was named man of the match in that game, and he was quick to praise what Carrick had done in a matter of days.
He said: “An important thing Michael Carrick said was to ‘use the energy of the people’. Today I think we did. When we’re together, it’s impossible to lose at home. When you play against these types of players, the team defends. Not just one or two players. Today we defended so well. We were so compact all the time, and then you have the confidence to go into the duels. You feel a different energy in the eyes of the players today.” Today the team won, that’s the most important thing for me.”
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Solskjaer and Carrick still “close”
While some may have been bitter about losing in this job battle, Carrick revealed that Solskjaer congratulated him on getting the role and the fantastic start.
He told reporters, ‘Yes, I’ve spoken to him,'” Carrick said. “We are close. We’ve been through a lot together, so he’s been fully supportive, as you’d expect. He’s a guy, and I respect him very much. He wished us all the best and was happy that we got the right result.”
Carrick knows Solskjaer is “there if I ever need him”, but admits that he is “not someone who bothers a lot of people”.
