Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior praised Michael Carrick ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester United.
Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday night as the race for Champions League qualification heats up.
Sitting in third place, United can go 10-points clear of Chelsea with a win, but defeat could lead to an uncomfortable run-in for the Red Devils.
Michael Carrick has become a strong contender to keep the role as head coach beyond this season, but the 44-year-old must secure a Champions League spot before that decision is made.
Michael Carrick watching his Man Utd side play Leeds
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
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Liam Rosenior’s admiration for Michael Carrick
Rosenior became Chelsea manager shortly before Carrick’s appointment as interim head coach.
The 41-year-old coach was poached from French side Strasbourg, which are part of the BlueCo multi-club network.
After a bright start, Chelsea’s form has collapsed in the league, after consecutive 3-0 defeats against Everton and Man City.
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Chelsea are currently positioned sixth in the Premier League, meaning there is pressure on Rosenior to qualify for Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Speaking to journalists ahead of United’s trip to Stamford Bridge, Rosenior revealed he admired Carrick as a player and believes he did a ‘fantastic’ job at Middlesbrough.
Rosenior also said he isn’t surprised by United’s revival under Carrick.
“Michael, firstly, as a player I greatly admired him,” Rosenior said.
“He did a fantastic job as a coach with Middlesbrough. I’m not surprised in terms of the results he’s got at United.”
This will be Rosenior’s first time facing Carrick and United since becoming Chelsea manager.
United have a chance to complete the Premier League double over their West London rivals.
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Liam Rosenior admired Michael Carrick as a player
The Chelsea boss now rates Carrick as a coach following his ‘fantastic’ job at Middlesbrough
Rosenior will face Carrick for the first time on Saturday
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What did Liam Rosenior say about the race for Champions League qualification?
United are in a stronger position than Chelsea, but Rosenior is not giving up hope of booking a place in the Champions League.
Rosenior has warned his Chelsea players that they’re running out of time and need to turn things around. He is demanding his team to play on the front foot against the Red Devils.
“We have to take advantage of this moment,” the Chelsea boss added.
“We’re running out of time. We need to show that initiative on Saturday evening. We need to play on the front foot and we need to make up those points, which is still definitely possible.”
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