Manchester United star Amad’s return is perfectly timed to link up with Michael Carrick.
Amad was present for Michael Carrick’s first training session as Manchester United head coach, following his own return from AFCON.
He is now hard at work trying to earn a spot in Carrick’s first starting XI, when Manchester United take on rivals City at Old Trafford this weekend.
This is Carrick’s second stint in charge at Manchester United, following an interim spell in late 2021.
Amad was at United at the time, this was prior to his loan to Rangers, while he was recovering from an injury.
Despite this, it’s been clear that Amad has huge respect for Michael Carrick, as he explained months earlier.
Manchester United Training Session
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Amad’s number 16 shirt
Amad switched to squad number 16 at the start of the 2021/22 season, after Raphael Varane signed for the club and was assigned his number 19 shirt.
Speaking to club media at the time, Amad explained that he felt completely honoured to be handed the number 16 shirt, citing Michael Carrick.
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He said: “When I was told that I was getting the No. 16 shirt, I was happy because I know that Michael Carrick had previously worn that shirt for a long time and so it is a number worn by a legend of the club.
“So I have to respect the number and the players who wore it before me.”
Roy Keane was another legendary name who wore the 16 shirt, which is still assigned to Amad to this day.
Amad was working under Carrick at the time, who was an assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And while this will have made the Englishman very present in his thoughts, Amad’s comments showed how knowledgeable he was and in-tune when it comes to Manchester United’s recent history.
He demonstrated a high level of respect for the former star, who is now Manchester United’s head coach.
Now they are both back, how can Amad and Bryan Mbeumo both fit into Michael Carrick’s starting XI?
Let us know how you would line the team up…
Amad/Mbeumo training
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Amad played against Carrick’s Middlesbrough
Amad spent the following season on loan in the Championship, playing for Sunderland.
During the same season, Carrick was appointed as manager of their rivals Middlesbrough.
Amad played one game against Carrick’s Boro, and he made it count, scoring in a 2-0 victory in January 2023.
Three years on, Amad is playing for Carrick for Manchester United, wearing his famous number 16 shirt.
It’s a great story, and one that can get even better with an Amad winner against City this weekend.
How would you describe Michael Carrick’s playing career in three words?
What are your favourite memories of Carrick as a Man Utd player?
Carrick playing career graphic
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