Michael Carrick has made a stunning start to life at Manchester United, but a former team-mate has admitted he is surprised by his success
Jermian Defoe is playing at Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026, which takes place on Sunday 31st of May at London Stadium, Stratford.
Jermain Defoe couldn't see Michael Carrick having a more demanding side to him(Image: ©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures)
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Jermain Defoe admits he's been surprised by Michael Carrick excelling at Manchester United given his former team-mate's personality. Carrick has made an impressive start at United, winning six out of seven matches and remaining unbeaten.
This impressive streak secured him the Premier League manager of the month award in January. Now, many supporters are clamouring for his permanent appointment when summer arrives.
Yet his former Tottenham and England colleague Defoe hadn't anticipated such an immediate transformation at United. The 43-year-old, who'll be featuring at Soccer Aid 2026 at the London Stadium, was taken aback by how brilliantly the side is functioning under someone he'd regarded as a quiet and reserved individual.
Defoe told the Manchester Evening News: "He's just a family man. He's just quiet and loved his football.
"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 aspect Defoe is certain Carrick possesses that strengthens 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.
"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.
Jermain Defoe of England is congratulated by Michael Carrick of England after scoring a goal to make it 2-2.
Defoe has been stunned by Carrick's tenure at United(Image: Matthew Ashton, Corbis via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United on the side line during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 1, 2026 in Manchester, England.
The United caretaker has put himself in contention for the permanent role(Image: Richard Sellers/Allstar, Getty Images)
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"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 strong mentality has evidently filtered through to the current United crop. Numerous players have remarked on the positive impact Carrick has had, with club captain Bruno Fernandes amongst those to have openly supported the manager.
He said: "I think Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility. He's very good with the words.
Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, acknowledges the fans following the teams victory in the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
The players are backing Carrick to the hilt(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
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"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 enduring ability on the training pitch. 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."