(Football news) It was in the summer of 2006 when a young English midfielder by the name of Michael Carrick was officially unveiled as a Manchester United player from Tottenham Hotspur. He inherited the number 16 jersey famously worn by Roy Keane but as personalities, the two couldn’t have been more different from each other. While Keane was outspoken, temperamental and a natural leader, Carrick had a calm and quiet demeanour, going about his business with little fuss, much like his midfield partner Paul Scholes.

What followed was one of the most successful periods in Manchester United history as the club went on to win three consecutive Premier League titles, reaching two Champions League finals (winning one in 2008) and a FIFA Club World Cup in the next three years. By the end of his 12 year long playing career, he had become one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, having won every single domestic honour in the English game. It says a lot about his playing style and personality that Carrick was woefully under-appreciated during his playing career at Manchester United. While the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie, Ryan Giggs got the admiration and plaudits, Carrick continued to do his job and remained an integral cog in the club’s system.

In January 2018, Carrick took over the role in the club’s first team coaching staff under Jose Mourinho’s management after his retirement as a professional footballer. He outlasted the Portuguese manager and worked under Ole Gunnar Solskjær until the Norwegian left the club on 21st November 2021 after which he took over the role of caretaker manager. In his first match in charge, he sealed Manchester United’s place in the Champions League round of 16 thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho. In his second match, he managed a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and defeated Arsenal 3-2 in his third and final match as caretaker manager at Manchester United.

In an interview after the match, Carrick said “My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career. When I first signed over 15 years ago, I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined winning so many trophies and I will certainly never forget the fantastic memories both as a player and as a member of the coaching team. After a lot of thought and deliberation, I have decided that now is the right time for me to leave. It wasn't easy telling the players, in some ways you feel like you're leaving them in the lurch but sometimes you have to do what's right. I've loved working with them – they are a terrific group of players. 

It's not been an easy decision to make but I feel it's the right one, it's 100% my decision. Over the last week I was conscious I respected the club and the manager coming in. I thought it was the right thing to do for the club and for Ralf. I'm quite happy with that.The loyalty to Ole is a little bit of a factor but there were a lot of things that came into my decision. I am, and will always be, a Manchester United fan and will come to as many matches as possible. I would like to wish Ralf, the staff, the players and the fans all the best for the future and I look forward to being in the stands and supporting the boys as a fan.” 

John Murtough, Football Director, said: “Michael leaves with the sincerest thanks and best wishes of everyone at Manchester United after 15 years of exceptional service to the club as a player and as a coach. While we are sad to see him go, we respect and understand Michael’s decision. He will always be known as one of the finest midfielders in the history of Manchester United, and, more recently, as an excellent coach who has worked tirelessly under two managers to help develop the strong squad which Ralf will now take charge of. We are grateful for the steady leadership Michael has shown through this period of managerial transition, and, while he is now stepping away from day-to-day involvement, he will always be welcome back as a legend of the club.”

Michael Carrick will leave the club after playing 464 games between 2006 to 2018 and winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

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