Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has praised Morgan Rogers' remarkable rise at Aston Villa after the 23-year-old left Middlesbrough following just half a season at the Riverside Stadium
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent and Craig John
10:00, 15 Mar 2026
Michael Carrick and Morgan Rogers during their time at Middlesbrough
Michael Carrick and Morgan Rogers during their time at Middlesbrough(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has admitted he wasn't certain how Morgan Rogers would fare following his move to Aston Villa.
Carrick was head coach of Middlesbrough when Villa paid over £10 million for a player who had only spent six months at the Riverside after a move from Manchester City costing a little over £1m. He'd only just started to become a regular starter in the Boro side when he left.
However, Unai Emery had spotted something in the forward that he hadn't been able to demonstrate during his spell at Manchester City, and the 23-year-old has flourished under the Spaniard's guidance.
Since his arrival, he has contributed to 51 goals, netting 27 himself, across 111 appearances in Claret and Blue. After a challenging start to this campaign, he has featured in every Premier League match and six of nine Europa League fixtures.
He has also begun to challenge Jude Bellingham for a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad and is regarded as one of the league's most talented players. Former manager Carrick admits he's not relishing the prospect of coming up against him at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"First of all, it is fantastic for him to see Morgan going on to do so well and for a good period of time," Carrick commented. "He had the initial signing in the January, and I wasn't really sure how it was going to go. It was a big step for him, he hadn't played for an awful long time at Middlesbrough so I felt he could have done with a little bit more.
"But as soon as he has gone to Aston Villa, he took huge steps and became a major, major part of their team and part of the England team, so that is how well he has done.
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"You could always see what he was possibly going to be capable of, and the potential in terms of his attributes - the way he carries the ball, he can play off his left foot, play off his right foot, creates and scores goals and really good athletically.
"So there were a lot of things there when we took him to start with. But to see him go on and have such an impact would be probably more than I would have expected or probably more than Morgan himself would have expected.
"It is great to see though. I enjoy seeing him do so well. To come up against him is a different story. Nevertheless, he is a good person, great to work with so I am delighted he has done so well."
Carrick himself has done well since being appointed as head coach at Old Trafford, initially until the end of the season. After replacing Ruben Amorim, with the club in dire form, the former Boro boss has won six of his eight matches in charge, sending Manchester United up the table and in the hunt for a top-four finish. They play Aston Villa looking to rebound from his first loss against Newcastle United last time out.
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