Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has revealed that he was surprised by how "together" the United squad was after taking charge on a temporary basis in January. After a long wait, Carrick was officially named as United's new permanent manager on Friday.
The 44-year-old has signed a deal until 2028 with the option of a further year following an impressive spell as the club's interim manager. Carrick has won 11 of his 16 games in the interim role, drastically transforming United's season after succeeding the sacked Ruben Amorim in January.
United's upturn in form has even seen them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in three years. When United were seventh in the Premier League table and had won just one of their last seven games in all competitions when Carrick returned at the turn of the year.
Speaking to former Manchester United hero Wayne Rooney on Inside Carrington, Carrick revealed that, despite the turmoil the club found itself in under Amorim, he found that the squad was still very much united in their goal to improve.
"Do you know what you hope to see? Good people with a willingness to do well," Carrick said after Rooney asked what surprised him upon taking charge. "The intentions, loving being here, the intentions to do the right thing. I was probably surprised by how good a group it is in terms of wanting to do well for each other.
"We've been part of different dressing rooms and it can quite easily go in different directions. But that was probably the biggest thing I felt straight away. These [players] are really in it together, want to do well, and are listening and learning. That's the thing that stands out, which is probably what's giving us the chance to be consistent since we come in."
United's players have proved their new boss right. Since taking over, United have recorded wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool, suggesting the group has always been tightknit, but were perhaps waiting on the right head coach to add the finishing touch.
Carrick's only previous managerial experience came with Middlesbrough, spending two-and-a-half years at the Riverside. However, the ex-midfielder worked as a first-team coach at United under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from 2018 to 2021 and has taken on the interim job twice before, after Mourinho and Solskjaer were sacked.
Upon his appointment, Carrick said: "From the moment that I arrived here 20 years ago, I felt the magic of Manchester United. Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride.
"Throughout the past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.
"Now it's time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose. Manchester United and our incredible supporters deserve to be challenging for the biggest honours again."
Jason Wilcox, Manchester United director of football, added: "Michael has thoroughly earned the opportunity to continue leading our men's team. In the time he has been doing the role, we have seen positive results on the pitch, but more than that, an approach which aligns with the club's values, traditions and history.
"Michael's achievements in leading the club back to the Champions League should not be understated. He has forged a strong bond with the players and can be proud of the winning culture at Carrington and in the dressing room, which we are continuing to build."
