Manchester United boss Michael Carrick's succinct reaction to getting the reins at Old Trafford suggest he's not like the others who have been and gone before him
Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United speaks during a press conference at Carrington Training Ground
Michael Carrick's four-word reaction to getting the Manchester United job will put plenty of minds at ease(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick is far from overawed by the mammoth task of resurrecting a club like Manchester United. In fact, the manager's response to being handed the reins of his old side may just reassure a great number of United supporters out there.
Carrick, 44, will remain as United head coach after it was announced he has signed a two-year contract on Friday. And fans are desperate to see the club's first British appointment in more than a decade succeed after a list of failures in that time.
It's a weighty pressure for Carrick, who became a fan favourite at Old Trafford during his 12-year stint as a player. But he gave former team-mate Wayne Rooney a cool and collected reply when asked how he was feeling about his new job during an interview for United's official YouTube channel.
"It feels pretty natural," said the former midfield icon, who lifted the FA Cup together with Rooney after beating Crystal Palace in 2016. Those four words alone and the serene nature in which they're said should put fans' minds at ease after many of his predecessors crumbled under the pressure.
Carrick's comment is fittingly delivered on the trophy-laden spiral staircase at United's Carrington training ground. As if the job alone wasn't a reminder of the pressures that come with managing such a historic club, not that it appears to daunt him.
Prior to managing United, Carrick's only previous head coach role was a two-and-a-half-year stint in charge of Middlesbrough. The Teessiders clinched three consecutive top-half finishes during his tenure but never managed to get back into the Championship play-offs following his first season at the helm.
Contrast that against a United legend like Sir Alex Ferguson, who had been a senior manager for 12 years in Scotland before moving south. But despite that dearth in experience before taking charge of one of the biggest teams in sport, Carrick's classically composed self shines through.
Michael Carrick speaking to Wayne Rooney at Carrington Training Ground
Carrick told former team-mate Wayne Rooney "it feels pretty natural" to be in charge at United(Image: YouTube/Manchester United)
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He continued: "It feels big on the outside but when you're in it, it just feels [shrugs shoulders]...Even though it's different, the building's different, some of the people are different, it's kind of what you get used to from 20 years ago since I signed.
"So it's all I've kind of known, really. So it's a bigger role than what I've had before but actually it just feels like a natural step, to be fair. It's nice to be here. A lot of responsibility but it's good. I'm really enjoying it."
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It's no wonder why after guiding United to third in the league and a Champions League return. The Red Devils ended their season with a dominant 3-0 victory at Brighton, an opponent they've typically struggled against in recent years, underscoring how things are changing under Carrick.
To highlight that evolution further, Bruno Fernandes broke the Premier League assist record at the Amex Stadium and has been named Premier League Player of the Season. Bigger stresses undoubtedly lie ahead, though Carrick's natural fit at United is already working wonders as he looks to restore the club to greatness.
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