Michael Carrick had his eyes widened by Sir Alex Ferguson's admission about Manchester United's standards
Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim at Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
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Sir Alex Ferguson made Michael Carrick well aware of the lofty expectations that come with being part of Manchester United.
The former United midfielder, who was appointed the club's interim head coach until the end of the season this month, spent the last 12 years of his playing career at Old Trafford, playing a crucial role in winning 12 major honours.
His story with United began in 2006 when Ferguson clinched an £18.6million deal to prise him away from Tottenham Hotspur. Carrick was 25 years old when he made the move to Manchester and had already built a wealth of experience in his career, having racked up 145 Premier League appearances with West Ham United and Spurs.
He'd also already several caps for England by the time he signed on the dotted line. But with just an Intertoto Cup triumph to his name, Carrick was lacking silverware – unlike his new United colleagues.
Upon becoming a United player, Carrick had a meeting with Ferguson - an occasion he recounted this week when speaking to Sky Sports. He admitted the chat made clear just how high expectations of success are at United.
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Carrick explained: "He said, 'come in my office for a chat', and I'll never forget, I sat down like this really and was kind of nervous and trying to catch my breath really. I was 25, kind of established, played for England, and I was massively affected by just sitting across from him.
Michael Carrick (R) poses with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with his new shirt at the Club's Carrington training ground
Sir Alex Ferguson made sure to inform Michael Carrick of the expectations surrounding Manchester United(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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"He said, 'yeah this is Man United son, you'll love it. We do things differently, people expect things differently here and people look at you different when you're at Man United and when you're used to winning. The pressures are different.'
"I ain't got a clue why I said it and Chelsea had won the league two years in a row and as it was coming out of my mouth, I was trying to stop myself from saying it and I said, 'similar to what Chelsea are going through at the minute.'
"He just stopped me dead and I stopped myself and he just went, 'No son, we're different, we're Manchester United, we're different from the rest.' And I was like, 'why have I just said that, he's not going to play me ever again.'"
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick claps the fans
The United interim boss defeated Manchester City 2-0 in his first game in charge(Image: Getty Images)
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The integral role Carrick played in United's various trophy wins demonstrates the impact Ferguson's words had on the Englishman in developing a winner's mentality. Although that was as a player, they are traits that may have translated into his managerial career.
Last week's performance against City garnered wide praise, with Wayne Rooney admitting he felt he saw "United DNA" in the team Carrick chose. The United icon told BBC Sport: "Obviously, absolutely delighted. I think the team, the spirit, the work-rate, the energy, everything about that team was fantastic today.
"I'm absolutely buzzing for the players and for the fans. The fans have been starved of that over the last few years. I know it's only one performance, but I think everyone could see how exciting that team could be. You know you hear everyone talking about it and especially us as ex-players, talking about the 'United DNA'."