Comments Bruno Fernandes made about new Manchester United manager Michael Carrick are rather eye-opening
Michael Carrick speaks with Bruno Fernandes
Michael Carrick's relationship with Bruno Fernandes goes back several years(Image: Getty Images)
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Few Manchester United players will be more delighted by Michael Carrick's return to the dugout than Bruno Fernandes.
The Portugal midfielder not only played under Carrick during his first interim spell in charge back in 2021 but also tipped him for the very top in his managerial career.
Carrick, who was appointed United head coach until the end of the 2025/26 season earlier this month following Ruben Amorim's departure, filled a similar void after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club just over four years ago.
Although he oversaw only three games before Ralf Rangnick took over, Carrick quickly lifted the mood at Old Trafford, securing big victories over Villarreal and Arsenal. After the latter, Fernandes ran straight to Carrick for a big hug and later lavished him with praise in his post-match interview.
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"Honestly for me Michael can be a really good manager in the future if he gets that chance," the now 31-year-old said. "He knows how to speak, he knows a lot of football. He was one of the great players that not a lot of people talk about. For what I have seen he can be a top coach."
Those words now feel almost prophetic, with Carrick back in charge at United, albeit on a short-term basis. After stepping aside for Rangnick, Carrick - who had served on both Jose Mourinho's and Solskjaer's coaching staff - ended a 15-year association with the Red Devils that began when he joined the club as a player from Tottenham in 2006.
Michael Carrick and Bruno Fernandes embrace after Man Utd's 3-2 win over Arsenal in 2021
Fernandes tipped Carrick for the top following Man United's 3-2 win over Arsenal in December 2021(Image: Getty Images)
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His managerial career began in earnest when he took over as Middlesbrough boss in 2022. He quickly lifted the club out of the Championship relegation zone by winning 16 of his first 23 games and ended the season with Boro in the play-offs. However, they were beaten by Coventry in the semi-finals.
In his second season at the Riverside Stadium, Carrick missed out on the play-offs, finishing eighth, but guided the team to the League Cup semi-finals - their first since lifting the trophy in 2004. A year later, he was sacked after another play-off miss, with the club ending the campaign in 10th.
Despite this, he earned widespread praise for the attacking, fluid football his side played throughout his tenure. That reputation may have tipped the balance when United were looking for a new head coach since the club were also in advanced talks with Solskjaer at the time.
Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United
Carrick has been appointed United manager until the end of the season(Image: Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Carrick ultimately won the race - and, just as he did at Middlesbrough, was quick to make his mark. In his first game back, he masterminded an emphatic 2-0 win over Manchester City, earning plenty of acclaim for his tactical setup.
Up next is a trip to title favourites Arsenal, who have lost just once to United in the league since Carrick oversaw a 3-2 victory in his final caretaker game back in 2021.
If he can work the same magic against the Gunners on Sunday, Carrick could not only turn his short-term appointment into a long-term role at Old Trafford but also prove that Bruno Fernandes was right on the money about his managerial potential.