Michael Carrick is keen to establish a strong link between Manchester United's academy and the first team and handed an opportunity to a young defender this week
Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United in action during a first team training session
Michael Carrick has taken over Manchester United training (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick has welcomed Habeeb Ogunneye into his training sessions this week after taking over as Manchester United’s interim head coach. Carrick has been preparing his players for the Manchester Derby on Saturday, but hasn’t missed the opportunity to take a look at the club’s academy players.
The former United midfielder was announced as the new boss on Tuesday evening and has a daunting first task against City. He quickly assembled a coaching staff and got to work at Carrington with the players who had been led by Darren Fletcher after Ruben Amorim was sacked.
Carrick is keen to put his own stamp on the side and included Ogunneye, a 20-year-old defender, in sessions. Ogunneye was recently recalled from a loan spell at Newport County and was given a chance to catch the eye by training with the senior squad.
The route from the academy to the first team has been there for all to see recently, with Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey given game time. However, The Sun reports that the plan is for Ogunneye to be sent out on another loan for the second half of the season.
He fell down the pecking order at Newport after Dave Hughes – a former United academy coach – was sacked as manager and replaced by Christian Fuchs. The right-back will continue to train at Carrington before another move is lined up.
Nevertheless, his involvement is an example of Carrick’s desire to create an even stronger link between academy and first team, which is shown by the inclusion of Travis Binnion on his coaching staff. Binnion has been promoted from his role as lead coach for United’s under-21s, having also previously worked as the academy's head of player development and coaching.
Carrick was asked to reflect on the recent inclusions of academy players in the first team on the Inside Carrington podcast. "I've absolutely loved it. Everyone needs a chance, you know. Every younger player needs a chance and wants a chance. It's up to them to then earn the opportunity,” he said.
Habeeb Ogunneye
Habeeb Ogunneye has trained with the Manchester United first team this week(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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“That's always something I've been passionate about. Even when I was playing, if a younger player comes into the group, into the squad, I would be helping them and trying to guide them and give them advice. Seeing them flourish and almost fly because they've got that feeling they play for the first team and they've got that opportunity to come on the pitch.
“It's what this club has seen for so long and what we are all excited about. It's what the fans want to see, that freshness and rawness and unpredictable talent. So, for me to work with the players, to try to help them and give them opportunities, I'm definitely all for that because that's what this place should be.”
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