Quinton Fortune believes Michael Carrick is a good fit for Manchester United after returning to the club as head coach earlier this week.
Manchester United hired Michael Carrick as head coach until the end of the season.
A sudden appointment in the middle of the season was high on the agenda after Ruben Amorim was sacked on January 5.
While Darren Fletcher stepped in as caretaker head coach for two matches before returning to the U18s, United wasted no time meeting with candidates to try to steady the ship for the remainder of the season.
Although Ineos decided Carrick was the best choice, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a strong contender along with Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Many former United players have weighed in with their verdict on the appointment. Roy Keane was dismissive of Carrick’s backroom staff, while Ashley Young sent a supportive message to his former teammate.
As is the case with everything that happens at Old Trafford, everybody has an opinion on the matter.
Michael Carrick speaks to MUTV
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Quinton Fortune backs Man Utd decision to hire Michael Carrick
Carrick has spent the past three days preparing his United players for his first game in charge when City visit Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
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The 44-year-old accepted the job just months after getting sacked at Middlesbrough, after failing to achieve promotion from the Championship following two-and-a-half years at the Riverside Stadium.
Former United midfielder Quinton Fortune has welcomed the appointment of Carrick, citing his humility as a key ingredient to United’s famous DNA.
“I have been very fortunate to play there,” Fortune told Sky Sports.
“The very core of Manchester United is about humility. When you look at Michael, he is the most humble person you can find.
“He doesn’t want to be in the limelight and rightly so because it’s about the team. It’s about the club.
“Michael has gone in there and mentioned how he is going to improve the players. The work ethic. I mentioned humility.
“No team should outrun or outfight Manchester United. That’s the DNA and, of course, you tell the players. That should be a given.
“Tomorrow [Saturday] you expect a United team to go make it difficult for City. Run, fight – but then you’ve got the quality as well. Play as a team. Selflessness. Selflessness was the most important thing. You play for the team and forget about yourself.
“They are the values of being a Manchester United player.”
Quinton Fortune record for Man Utd
Fortune was the first African player to represent United, after Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Atletico Madrid for £1.5 million in 1999.
One of Fortune’s greatest assets was his selflessness and versatility.
Fortune made 126 appearances for United, scoring 10 goals and registering seven assists.
He was part of United’s Premier League-winning side in 2003.
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