The former Manchester United midfielder is expected to bring 4-2-3-1 formation and attacking philosophy to Old Trafford after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, with Kobbie Mainoo to play key role
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has taken over as the new interim head coach of Man United(Image: PA)
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Michael Carrick has been announced as the new Manchester United interim head coach for the rest of the season, and the former midfielder has a straightforward mission ahead of him.
United parted ways with Ruben Amorim while the club sat just outside the Champions League spots. His departure followed a day after his heated remarks following the Leeds United match earlier this month, during which he insisted on having greater authority as a 'manager' instead of a 'head coach.'
Carrick returns to Old Trafford with United still fighting for a top-five position, and his entire attention will be directed towards the Premier League. Following Sunday's FA Cup elimination by Brighton and Hove Albion and the Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town, there are no cup competitions to divert attention.
The ex-Middlesbrough manager, who previously oversaw three matches in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal, is known for deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation - a tactical approach that supporters have been demanding United adopt.
Throughout Amorim's spell, the Portuguese manager persisted with his 3-4-3 system, with the exception of the 1-0 triumph over Newcastle. Yet, despite securing victory against Eddie Howe's team, Amorim returned to his three-at-the-back setup for the Wolves fixture.
Reports suggest that Jason Wilcox informed Amorim he wasn't on the same level as other managers before his dismissal. The choice to adopt a more cautious approach at home against Wolves, who had just two points at that stage and United had beaten 4-1 only weeks earlier, is thought to have been poorly received.
United supporters can breathe a sigh of relief as Carrick has already hinted at his forward-thinking approach to the game. The 44-year-old is believed to have taken inspiration from Sir Alex Ferguson, favouring an attacking and dominant style of play.
In his autobiography 'Between the Lines', Carrick recounts a disagreement with Louis van Gaal over the decision to match Sheffield United's tactics in an FA Cup tie during his playing days.
"I'm not showing any disrespect to Sheffield United when I say this but I cried out for us to play our own game," Carrick penned.
One player set to reap the benefits of Carrick's arrival is academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo. Under Amorim, Mainoo only made one start this season, despite being touted as a competitor for Bruno Fernandes.
In a previous interview with Rio Ferdinand, Carrick revealed that Mainoo would be the cornerstone of his midfield.
"Yeah (would build around Mainoo)," he stated. "I think for a club to have a player that's come through the academy and knows the club and feels it, I think Man Utd's got to have an element of that.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo could play a key role under interim head coach Michael Carrick(Image: SmartFrame/News Images)
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"They always have done and should always have that. To have a talent that he's shown already, you've got to have player that you can say 'right, they get it, they know it, let's help him, let's build him'.
"There's definitely a place for him there for sure."