EXCLUSIVE: Michael Carrick has been a breath of fresh air since taking over as caretaker manager at Manchester United, but one former team-mate had his reservations
Jermain Defoe is playing at Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026, which takes place on Sunday 31st of May at London Stadium, Stratford.
Jermain Defoe has been left stunned by his former team-mate's rise in coaching(Image: ©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures)
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Jermain Defoe is stunned at how impressive Michael Carrick has been at Manchester United due to his former team-mate's unassuming demeanour.
Carrick has been an instant hit at United, winning six out of seven games and going undefeated throughout. This run of form earned him the Premier League manager of the month award in January, and fans have been calling for his permanent appointment come the summer.
However, his former Tottenham and England colleague Defoe didn't expect this sudden impact at United. The 43-year-old, who will be starring at Soccer Aid 2026 at the London Stadium, was left surprised at just how well the team are performing under the man he perceived to be a quiet and reserved character.
Speaking exclusively to the , Defoe said: "He’s just a family man. He’s just quiet and loved his football.
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"I have to be honest, obviously knowing Michael and how quiet he was, I wouldn’t have looked at him and been like, you know what, you’d be like... I wouldn’t say he wouldn't have been a manager, but you can’t imagine him being a coach and really giving it to players."
Despite this uncertainty, there is one thing Defoe is adamant Carrick possesses that boosts his credentials at United. He added: "But I think what he has got is he’s got a winning mentality, of course, because he’s only ever been in elite environments.
Jermaine Defoe (L) of Tottenham celebrates with team mate Michael Carrick (R) after scoring Tottenham's second goal in today's English Premier league clash between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Wigan Athletic FC played at Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium in north London, 19 February 2006.
Defoe has been surprised by his former team-mate's progress in management(Image: Geoff Caddick/AFP via Getty Images)
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"And obviously he got to move to Man United and done what he’d done there. And now that transition to then become a coach or a manager, it’s never easy.
"But to see him go in and do what he’s done for such a massive football club, and I know he’s played there before and he’s been involved, he’s been assistant manager and all that sort of stuff, but still to go in and do what he’s done, it’s been amazing.
"And for me, it’s just so nice to see it, because I know Michael, it’s so nice to see it."
This winning mindset has clearly dripped down to the current United squad. Many players have commented on the positive impact Carrick has had, with club captain Bruno Fernandes one of those to have publicly backed the boss.
Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, speaks with Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 01, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Carrick's influence has been clear on the players(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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He said: "I think Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility. He's very good with the words. I think he still remembers what I told him the last time he was our manager for our last game. I was sure that Michael could be a great manager, and he's just showing it."
Harry Maguire recently praised Carrick's continued knack for football in training. During an episode of Inside Carrington, the defender said: "He still does demos in passing drills and he still bangs it through the lines like he’s still got it.
"He was doing the demos the other day, and I think he did two passes. Everyone did about 300. I think his two were the best I’ve seen out of them all. But no, he’s still got it. And he’s really hands-on in training."