Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique and Manchester United boss Michael Carrick share something in common that Ruben Amorim lacked at Old Trafford.
The ‘Ruben Amorim era’ at Old Trafford came to an end back in January after Ineos sacked the 41-year-old ex-Manchester United manager from his head coach role.
Michael Carrick initially took charge at the Premier League club on an interim basis before the 45-year-old United legend permanently succeeded Ruben Amorim.
The United head coach is now set to cross paths with Luis Enrique at the weekend for the Red Devils’ pre-season friendly match against French side PSG in Sweden.
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish headcoach Luis Enrique reacts during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on March 6, 2026.
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish headcoach Luis Enrique reacts during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on March 6, 2026.
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Luis Enrique’s comments about PSG’s youth talent show how out of touch Ruben Amorim was with Man Utd’s identity
Luis Enrique’s return to the dugout this summer has already seen Paris Saint-Germain lose 3-0 to RCD Mallorca at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Spain.
But the pre-season match on Wednesday was an example of Enrique understanding the importance of youth talent in a way that Ruben Amorim never did.
“It’s difficult to make a fair assessment,” Enrique told PSG TV, as per PSG’s official website.
“I think we had an interesting first half, but we made a mistake for their second goal, and after that it was difficult. But I’m pleased with what I saw.
“I saw several academy youngsters play very well. This match was about improving our physical condition. It’s not the result we would have liked, but that’s football.”
At the heart of Enrique’s comment is the perfect example of why so many Manchester United fans wanted to see him in the Old Trafford dugout.
READ MORE: Man United’s friendly: seven PSG players who could miss or play limited roles against Michael Carrick’s men
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The 56-year-old Spaniard understands the importance of youth players and would have recognised the importance of Man Utd’s ‘DNA’ with academy talent.
Michael Carrick has already shown that himself during his interim and permanent reign through the upholding of youth talent in the United first-team squad.
Jacob Devaney proved as much after Carrick was watching the academy training sessions at Carrington ahead of the first-team players returning this summer.
“We speak about it as a group,” he said, as per BBC Sport in July.
“It’s great to have Michael there at the games, and even when we were in training a week before the first team, I think he was out at every session with the staff.”
In contrast to Carrick and Enrique, it always felt a precarious situation over who would be in the firing line next for Amorim when it came to youth academy talent.
If it were not Harry Amass or Chido Obi being criticised last season by Amorim, then the former Man Utd boss’ handling of Kobbie Mainoo showed his shortcomings.