Michael Carrick has promised Manchester United supporters they will see an energetic side under his temporary leadership, insisting he wants to be “off my seat” as he patrols the touchline.
United confirmed on Sunday that Carrick has been appointed as head coach until the end of the season, stepping up following the club’s decision to part company with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The former midfielder, who joined Solskjaer’s staff after returning to Old Trafford in 2018, will take charge while the club continues its search for an interim manager.
Speaking about how he wants his team to play, Carrick said: “I want to be off my seat, I want to be on the touchline. I want to see energy and passion and enthusiasm.”
He added: “I want the fans to be on the edge of their seat and enjoy what they see. I’ll always be true to myself and what I believe in. It’s a huge job, but I’m ready and I’m looking forward to it.”
Carrick also pointed to the responsibility that comes with taking over at United, stressing that performances must quickly improve. “It’s about getting results, of course it is. That’s the world we live in,” he said. “But it’s also about how we play, how we represent this club and what it means to the people.”
United’s decision means Carrick will lead the team in the immediate run of fixtures as the club looks to steady the season. The 40-year-old will be backed by the existing coaching staff, with United making it clear the appointment is in place until the end of the campaign.
For Carrick, the message to fans was simple: expect a team that plays with intensity and commitment. “We’re going to work hard, we’re going to give everything,” he said, as he begins his first spell in charge at Old Trafford.
