Michael Carrick is set to realise that the challenge he put forward to Ruben Amorim when he arrived at Man Utd is now expected of him.
When Ruben Amorim arrived at Man Utd in November 2024, there was a quiet expectation around the club that a hard reset was taking place.
It was why he was given so much grace and patience despite the results falling to a new low every week, culminating in the Europa League Final loss to Spurs.
As Michael Carrick prepares to take charge of his first game at Old Trafford as Amorim’s successor, the mind goes back to the challenge he laid down in front of Amorim when he was just starting out.
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Featuring…
📋 Michael Carrick’s top priorities
📈 How many wins Carrick needs
🏆 Winners and losers
❌ Ole misses out
⚽ Carrick’s playing days
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Manchester United legend Michael Carrick celebrates after the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane in 2023 in Sheffield, England.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Michael Carrick’s challenge to Ruben Amorim at Man Utd
Carrick, like every Man Utd fan, wanted Amorim to do well at Old Trafford, but he was under no illusion that this was a big job.
The Man Utd manager job has eaten up and spat out coaches with more pedigree and experience than Amorim.
That is something Carrick was clearly aware of, and when he was asked about Amorim being appointed to the United hotseat, he had a challenge for him, laden with hope.
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Carrick said immediately after Amorim’s appointment that he hopes Amorim quickly gets up to speed with the ‘huge expectations’ of a ‘big challenge’.
He challenged him to ‘settle really quickly’, wishing Amorim all the best in his role but with cautious optimism.
Needless to say, Amorim didn’t start well, didn’t settle quickly, and by the end, walked away after burning all bridges at the club.
It’s poetic that Carrick now needs to live up to the challenge he set for Amorim.
Carrick will need to live up to his challenge for Amorim
A major reason why Ineos wanted to go with the tried and tested for the rest of the season is exactly because of Carrick’s challenge.
Many players and managers in the past have admitted that you don’t realise just how big Man Utd is until you walk into the job.
How many games will Michael Carrick win?
Also let us know how many you think he NEEDS to win to qualify for the Champions League… and to become full-time manager?
Carrick wins graphic
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Carrick has the advantage of knowing the club inside out, so he is better equipped to take on the challenge of settling in quickly and making an immediate impact than Amorim was.
He has 17 games to do so, all of which are basically cup finals since the team is out of every cup competition.
It’s up to Carrick now to live up to the challenge that he set for Amorim back in November 2024.
What should Michael Carrick’s FIRST PRIORITY be as Manchester United head coach?
Let us know your INSTANT REACTION to his appointment
Carrick graphic
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