Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be supporting Michael Carrick from the stands if he is appointed as interim head coach.
According to reports, Michael Carrick is set to become interim head coach, taking charge from Darren Fletcher after his two-game spell in charge.
The passing of the torch will be between two of Sir Alex Ferguson’s disciples, with Michael Carrick and Fletcher spending a combined 25 years at Old Trafford as players.
Michael Carrick is the new favourite for the Man Utd interim job, are you happy with this?
Manchester United Coach Michael Carrick celebrates at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 2, 2021
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
They shared the pitch together, and Carrick wants Fletcher to join his backroom staff if he is appointed as United boss.
Fletcher received Ferguson’s blessing before stepping up as interim manager, and Carrick has also previously received advice from the Scotsman.
Manchester United legend Michael Carrick during the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City and Middlesbrough at The Coventry Building Society Arena in 2025 in Coventry, England.
Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
What Sir Alex Ferguson told Michael Carrick about becoming a manager
This is set to be Carrick’s second stint as United’s interim head coach. He first took charge following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking in 2021.
When Carrick left United and went on to become Middlesbrough manager, he revealed he had been in touch with Ferguson and received some advice.
More United News
“I spoke to Sir Alex a few times. I’ve spoken to him more since I stopped playing – I didn’t want to get too close to him when I was a player,” Carrick said.
What is YOUR biggest reason to feel positive about Manchester United right now?
Manchester United badge inside the tunnel
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
“I spoke to him a lot. It’s well documented that he has a real pride and a care about ex-players progressing and being coaches, managers and takes a real pride and care in helping them as well. He’s certainly done that to me and I really appreciate the advice he’s given me.
“I thought I knew football to a point until I got to United, and it taught me a whole different way of living, breathing, how to play football, how to win, and it all stemmed from the boss.
“He was a huge, huge influence, improved my game, made me a better person in all sorts of different ways, so I’ve got a lot to thank him for.”
Michael Carrick has a different style to Sir Alex Ferguson
United captain Bruno Fernandes liked Carrick’s coaching back in 2021, and Cristiano Ronaldo has also shown support for Carrick ahead of his appointment.
Carrick’s time at Middlesbrough has given him some priceless experience in a full managerial role, and he admits that his style is very different to that of Ferguson.
“Do I look like an angry Scotsman?” Carrick joked. “Listen, you’ve got to be your own person to a point. Society and social circles are very different now to what they were some time ago.
READ MORE: Wayne Rooney reacts to Michael Carrick update by naming ‘most important thing’ that Man Utd must do above all else
“I’m well aware of that and I think you’ve got to treat the individuals all differently to a point and get the best out of them individually – which he did, by the way, in different ways, so I learned a lot from that.
“But again, I’ve got to trust my instincts and not try to copy too much. I’m my own person and I’m comfortable with that.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox