Although Michael Carrick was sacked after two and a half years at Middlesbrough, Rio Ferdinand argues that the newly appointed Manchester United head coach did a good job at the Riverside Stadium.
It’s been a huge week for Michael Carrick after being appointed Manchester United head coach until the end of the season.
The former United midfielder returns to the Old Trafford dugout with the main objective being Champions League qualification. To achieve that, Carrick must steady the ship at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim was sacked after 14 months as United’s head coach, and Darren Fletcher stood in for two matches while Carrick saw off competition from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy to get the interim role.
What should Michael Carrick’s FIRST PRIORITY be as Manchester United head coach?
Let us know your INSTANT REACTION to his appointment
Carrick graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Carrick was always a popular figure during previous spells at United – as both a player and coach – and his announcement earned a warm response from Ashley Young.
Now, former United defender Rio Ferdinand has weighed in with an opinion on Carrick’s two and a half year reign at Middlesbrough.
Rio Ferdinand attends Spanish Super Cup final
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand hails ‘brave’ Michael Carrick after Middlesbrough stint
Carrick has emerged as the more logical candidate than Solskjaer, who has only held one position in management since leaving United four years ago.
More United News
The 44-year-old has managed in England more recently than the Norwegian, at Middlesbrough, lasting almost three years in the job.
Middlesbrough were in the relegation zone when Carrick took charge, but he turned them around before making the play-offs in 2022/23.
The problem for Carrick is that it was the only time Middlesbrough made the play-offs, despite narrowly missing out in the two seasons that followed.
Now, Ferdinand has done some digging into Carrick’s time at Middlesbrough. He investigated the stats and learned that his Middlesbrough side played attacking free-flowing football.
Ferdinand credits Carrick for being ‘brave’ on the front foot, which backs up his claims about wanting his team to play entertaining football.
“I’ve done a little bit digging looking at how his team played at Middlesbrough,” Ferdinand told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
“Obviously ended up obviously getting the sack or whatever and coming away from that job, but he had a good spell there.
“I think almost 200 games roughly, where if you look at the stats in terms of like playing out possession, creating chances, attacking football, free flowing football in that championship, which is a good hard league by the way.
“He was first in a lot of those metrics. So he’s a brave on the front foot kind of coach who wants to kind of implement his own style on a game and force his style on on the opposition.
“So from that standpoint, it speaks to what Jason Wilcox and the people that operate in Man United would want.”
TalkingPoints TV: Should Michael Carrick get a serious shot at becoming permanent Man Utd manager?
🗣Your comments could feature in the next video, make your voice heard!
Featuring…
📋 Michael Carrick’s top priorities
📈 How many wins Carrick needs
🏆 Winners and losers
❌ Ole misses out
⚽ Carrick’s playing days
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Carrick got sacked at Middlesbrough after a losing run towards the end of last season, which cost them a place in the play-offs.
Michael Carrick wanted his Middlesbrough side to attack
Taking a closer look at the stats Ferdinand is referring to, it is clear that there was an emphasis on attacking football during Carrick’s time at Middlesbrough.
Between October 29, 2022 and May 3, 2025, Middlesbrough scored more goals (200) than any other team in the Championship.
Those goals came from 1668 shots, with 584 of those on target.
Middlesbrough also had the most touches in the opposition box (3218) and successful passes (53,735).
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox