Michael Carrick previously revealed to Nicky Butt that he harboured doubts about returning to football management before eventually accepting a position with Manchester United. The 45-year-old was announced as Ruben Amorim's interim successor in January.
Guiding the Red Devils to a third-placed Premier League finish at the end of 2025/26 convinced the board to offer him a permanent contract at the club. Any feeling of fresh optimism under Carrick has rapidly evaporated in the current campaign, though, with United languishing in 13th place in the top flight after securing just one victory from their opening six matches.
Carrick's reservations before Old Trafford role
The latest disappointment saw the Red Devils held to a draw by winless Tottenham, who have also struggled to find their rhythm despite substantial summer spending.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, Butt has now revealed how Carrick held significant reservations about returning to management before assuming control at Old Trafford.
He said: "I was with Michael before he got the United job and [was] speaking to him about management. He went, 'No, it's not for me. It's too much and my head's all over the shop. I'll only do it for the big job and the big job is United.'"
From playing career to management
Following a distinguished 19-year playing career at West Ham, Spurs and United, Carrick moved into management, initially taking charge on a caretaker basis with the Red Devils in 2021.
The subsequent year saw Carrick embark upon a three-year stint with Middlesbrough, delivering solid performances during his initial two seasons before his sacking at the end of 2024/25 following a lacklustre 10th-place Championship finish.
Following Amorim's departure from United in January, he emerged as a contender for a return to Old Trafford as interim manager.
Pressure mounts amid poor start
Carrick ultimately secured the role as the most appropriate choice, with United's decision bearing fruit between January and May.
Fresh optimism emerged around the club, which has been starved of consistency since Sir Alex Ferguson's exit in 2013, culminating in a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.
However, the current campaign has started to reveal flaws in Carrick's methodology. As a result, his future at the club has already come under scrutiny.
It's been reported that Eddie Howe could emerge as an option to replace Carrick if he is sacked in the not-too-distant future.
Antonio Conte has also been mooted as a possible alternative, but it's claimed that United chiefs remain behind their current boss for now. He will be desperate to return to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend as the Red Devils take on bitter rivals Leeds United.
