An insight into Michael Carrick's training ground methods from players who have worked with the new Manchester United interim boss
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has already made his mark on the training ground(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick's players, past and present, have given the thumbs up to the Manchester United boss' training regime.
Carrick has landed the job on an interim basis following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, who struggled to implement his ideas during 14 torrid months in charge. Tasked with securing United a Champions League spot, Carrick has wasted no time in making changes on and off the pitch.
The early signs are hugely promising following Saturday's derby victory over Manchester City. Among the changes, Carrick - supported by number two Steve Holland and coaches Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans - has made is to shorten training sessions but make them more intense.
Communication has been clear and concise, while there has been an increased focus on one-to-one work. Among the players impressed by Carrick's approach is long-serving defender Harry Maguire. Following the win over City, he said: "He’s got great ideas. He speaks really well. Tactically, he’s really, really good.
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"And obviously, now he’s had a lot of experience at Middlesbrough as a manager. And I'm sure he’s going to come in here and implement his ideas."
The 32-year-old added: "I must say, with him and all his coaching staff, I’ve been really impressed this week. He's trying to bring new energy, new ideas, without drilling us too much at this moment tactically. I think he just wants to bring the energy back in the building. That's so important."
Players Carrick worked with at Middlesbrough, the club he left last summer, were similarly impressed with his methods. Caolan Boyd-Munce, now of League One Wycombe, highlighted his ability to simplify messaging.
Harry Maguire celebrates
Harry Maguire is enjoying working with Carrick(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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He told TeesideLive: "I remember in the first week he took us as a midfield four. We had a session just the four us and the drills he was doing… You might call it basic stuff but it was the way he explained and described it. It just made so much sense.
"We were thinking, 'How have we not seen this before? Everything he does and says, he just simplifies everything and makes it so easy to understand.
"I think there's a perception that he'll be in the changing room going really in-depth and detailed into everything. But quite the opposite, he just breaks the game down so simply."
Meanwhile, Jonny Howson, 37, who now coaches Leeds United U21s, explained how Carrick made it abundantly clear what he expected from his players and wasn't afraid to halt a session if standards dropped.
Michael Carrick during a Manchester United training session
Carrick has been praised for his communication skills(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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He told The Athletic: "Until you deal with someone day-to-day, you don't realise why he was at the top for so many years. He never accepted, or accepts, where he's at. He always wanted to get better. He's said that to us numerous times.
"It's a good atmosphere, calm, inside the building but when you’re out on the training pitch, he will let you know if it's not being done right. We’ve seen that a few times. He will stop a session or a drill and tell you it's not good enough."
Carrick and United fans will be hoping the new approach can inspire United to another positive result against Arsenal on Sunday.