Michael Carrick hints at longer stay at Manchester United and says manager’s job is ‘ultimate role’

Michael Carrick has described managing Manchester United as the “ultimate role” and hinted he would love to stay beyond the end of the season.

Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim last month on an interim basis and with a contract until the summer. He was tasked with steadying the ship after Amorim’s turbulent 14-month spell at Old Trafford but has gone beyond that.

United have registered four wins and a draw in his first five games in charge – the run including victories over Manchester City and Arsenal – and sit fourth in the Premier League ahead of Monday’s trip to Everton.

Manchester United’s results under Michael Carrick

January 17 – Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City

January 25 – Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United

February 1 – Manchester United 3-2 Fulham

February 7 – Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham

February 10 – West Ham 1-1 Manchester United

Carrick enjoying life at Manchester United

In a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport, Carrick was asked if he wanted to keep the job long-term and replied: “For me, it’s the ultimate role. I’m really enjoying it, I love what I’m doing. I’m fortunate. I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it’s not the fact that I believe I can do it and I’m here to do it.

“I said it when I came in – there’s the sentimental side of that… of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing. But, actually, I’m here to do a job now and to make a good team and be successful.

“I don’t decide how long that’s going to be but I love being here and while I’m here, I’ll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That’s how I believe it should be.”

Carrick unflustered by critics

Carrick’s initial appointment and the choice of some of his backroom staff was questioned by former United players now working in the media but he insists he takes it all with a pinch of salt.

He added: “It doesn’t bother me one bit. Genuinely, it doesn’t. I’m not going to really fall out with anyone over that. I think it’s a respect thing as much as anything and I’ll give and take that. I think for younger players in general it’s something we need to help them with and look after them. It’s a different world now to when, say, I was coming through, but we do that and we look after them.”

Carrick brought in Jonathan Woodgate, Steve Holland and Jonny Evans to work under him and says they operate well as a team.

“There’s Travis as well – Travis Binnion, who’s been here for a number of years now through the academy. And Craig Mawson – the goalkeeping coach,” he said. 

“There’s a really strong group and it feels like we’ve been together a long time, but we didn’t all know each other. I didn’t really know Steve personally an awful lot. I thought it would come together nicely and was balanced and there’s a reason why I wanted to bring Steve in.

“Jonathan… I had him at Middlesbrough – loyal, gets me, knows me, pushes me, challenges me… really good relationship. Jonny knew the club. He’s been here so long and has a really good relationship with the players as well… loves coaching, loves helping, cares a lot. And then with Travis… the club needs the academy. It’s a massive part of this football club.

“I think there’s a really good balance with the responsibility of the academy, young players and then Jonathan and Jonny – being two of the best centre-backs you could come across in the last 20-25 years – to pass their information on.

“Steve – with his experience in so many ways… Chelsea, with change of managers and different styles of managers and top, top players, and England. All the staff are able to cope being around the environment and I think that’s so important.”