Michael Carrick has revealed he is in regular contact with Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he navigates a difficult start to his tenure at Old Trafford.
Ferguson signed Carrick in 2006, and Carrick later served as Solskjaer's assistant during the Norwegian's time in charge. The pair did not win a trophy together before Solskjaer was dismissed.
Pressure Mounts at Old Trafford
The 45-year-old has overseen two wins in 11 games to begin the season, leaving him under pressure. Carrick beat Solskjaer to the head coach role in January when the club were initially looking for an interim appointment, but the two remain in contact, with Ferguson also available on the phone.
Speaking about his conversations with both men, Carrick said: "I speak to both of them quite regularly, to be honest. There's nothing in particular from that. I'm close to both of them and we do have regular conversations. It's nothing different this week."
Drawing Inspiration From History
Solskjaer is among the managers who have been unable to restore United's past success. He followed Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, and since his departure in late 2021, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim have also had underwhelming stints.
Carrick needs to improve results or face losing his job. In an emotional speech on Friday, he referenced Ferguson when pressed on why he spoke for five minutes before his weekly press conference. He replied: "Because I understand the situation, and I understand my position and I know what this football club means to so, so many people."
He added: "The history doesn't give you the right to keep winning. Teams that win earn the right to win. So it's important that we draw inspiration from history and the past of what's gone on. But our responsibility is to carry that forward, and it's so important to me that we do that."
United host Bournemouth on Sunday at Old Trafford, with the Cherries unbeaten in their last three visits to the Red Devils, scoring ten goals in that time.
