The Manchester United squad has spoken up. They have publicly argued that interim manager Michael Carrick (45) should be appointed as the permanent manager. The locker room atmosphere, the results and the players' expressions have completely changed compared with the Rúben Amorim era.
The Telegraph of the U.K. reported on the 9th (Korea time) about the internal atmosphere at Manchester United, saying players strongly want Carrick to be appointed permanently.
Carrick took over the team in January to replace manager Amorim. At that time United were shakily positioned. Their league standing had plunged and the squad atmosphere had frozen. A representative case was Covi Moinu.
Moinu was effectively sidelined under Amorim's management. He did not receive proper opportunities during the first five months of the season and even considered going out on loan during the January transfer window.
Now it's different. Since Carrick took over, Moinu is smiling again. During training held at the Ireland training camp, coach Travis Binion jokingly shouted at Moinu, who had longly touched the ball, "Covi, tackle!" and Moinu laughed and fired back. It was a scene rarely seen at United before.
Harry Maguire is the same. Right after the club released a renewed contract, Maguire appeared at training with a bright expression. When he hit a volley into the net, coach Jonathon Woodgate admired it, and Maguire laughed and asked, "Good, right?" The reply was "best."
The training ground atmosphere has lightened considerably. The United squad held a short three-night training camp at a resort in County Kildare, Ireland. The next opponent is Leeds United. United face Leeds at Old Trafford on the 14th.
This match is important for Carrick as well. With seven matches to play in the remaining seven weeks, they must protect a spot for next season's Union of European Football Associations Champions League. At the same time he must prove he deserves to be the permanent manager.
So far the results have been persuasive enough. Since Carrick took over, United have won seven of 10 matches. They have risen to third in the league, and are six points behind fifth-place Liverpool.
Above all, the players fully support Carrick.
According to the Telegraph, Amad Diallo publicly said, "We think he is the right man." Diallo said, "Players cannot decide the manager's future. That is something the club will decide after the season," but added, "Carrick has a lot of experience, knows this club and has United's DNA. We are really happy to be with him now."
He added, "He has a good relationship with each player. He knows how to talk to them. A manager like this can return the club to where it should be."
Brandon Williams also told the same story. He said, "Carrick knows how to communicate with the players."
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who have large influence in the locker room, are also reported to rate Carrick highly. Casemiro, who is scheduled to leave the team after the season, is also reportedly impressed by Carrick's coaching methods and coaching staff composition.
Carrick is assembling his coaching staff with Steve Holland, Jonny Evans and others. Within the squad the mood for "going with the Carrick system" is already strengthening.
Carrick is even more special to Diallo. Diallo first met Carrick when he came to United from Atalanta in 2021. At that time Carrick was assisting Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Diallo said, "I was young and inexperienced then. Carrick gave me advice and continued to help me," adding, "Later when I went on loan to Sunderland, I met Carrick again. He's someone I've known for a long time. He did a lot for me."
Carrick's final test starts now. United begin with the Leeds match on the 14th, then face Aston Villa and the remaining league fixtures. If they secure a Champions League spot, the club hierarchy will find it harder to ignore him.
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