Henry Winter spent a year with Michael Carrick to help co-write his autobiography, studying his personality and career, covering the highs and lows.
Michael Carrick returned to Manchester United in January as head coach until the end of the season.
So far, United have won five matches and drawn one. That means the Red Devils are sitting in fourth place in the Premier League with 11 matches to play.
It remains to be seen if Carrick can do enough to warrant the United job permanently, but he will give Ineos a decision to make if the team secures Champions League qualification, as that would make for a drastic improvement from a topsy-turvy first half of the season under Ruben Amorim.
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Michael Carrick and his Manchester United players after beating Everton
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Henry Winter provides extra insight into Michael Carrick
Winter has been one of the top football journalists for a long time, so it came as no surprise that Carrick asked him to co-write his autobiography.
Michael Carrick: Between the Lines was originally published in 2018, and a lot has happened since then.
Carrick spent just over two and a half years as head coach of Middlesbrough; he’s currently United’s head coach, and there’s a chance he could keep that role beyond this season.
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In an interview with GiveMeSport, Winter shared what he noticed about Carrick’s personality and his desire to get the best out of young players.
“You see the man management that Michael’s got, you’ve interviewed Michael, I spent a year helping him write his book, and there is, there’s very little ego there,” Winter said.
“But there’s a huge desire to do well and a complete understanding of how young players tick.
“And he was, you know, we mentioned Capello in South Africa. Michael had a pretty miserable time out there because he didn’t feel loved. He wasn’t starting. He wasn’t really enjoying it. So yeah, I think he’s the candidate at the moment.”
Carrick will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League when United host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
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Michael Carrick is rejuvenating Kobbie Mainoo
Carrick’s desire to get the best out of young players can be seen with the work he has done with Mainoo since returning to Old Trafford.
Mainoo had been waiting for his first Premier League start of the season when Carrick was appointed head coach, after being overlooked on many occasions by Ruben Amorim.
At 20 years old, Mainoo is still young, but Carrick is keen to get the most out of him as well as contribute to his development, which will help United long-term.
It’s frightening to think that a prospect like Mainoo could have left the club had Amorim remained as head coach.
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