Michael Carrick - Manchester United Head Coach

[Zumbi]

Iraola always has short term contracts, I'm not sure he's a good example

It's a good example to show that not too much should be read into contract lengths when there's a lot of variation out there.

 

[Abhinav]

If the club genuinely has no money, then what good does it do for our season if Carrick starts moaning about in public. A good manager is one who understands the circumstances and does the best with the resources he is given. It might not be what fans expect but fans don’t have the visibility that someone on the inside does.

 

[croadyman]

This is a good point, he never in a million years would've thought he'd have got the Utd job this time last year. The fact was he was brought in as a caretaker to see out the season. Then the board still wasn't totally convinced of him until late on in the season and his reward, a 2 year deal, hardly a glowing endorsement. This is why I think the club aren't backing him in the same way they have with previous managerial appointments. That two year contract is not and was never meant to be anything other than a short term plan until someone who they really want becomes available.

Well why did they keep him on if there was never any financial ability to back him this summer then

 

[Dominos]

This is a good point, he never in a million years would've thought he'd have got the Utd job this time last year. The fact was he was brought in as a caretaker to see out the season. Then the board still wasn't totally convinced of him until late on in the season and his reward, a 2 year deal, hardly a glowing endorsement. This is why I think the club aren't backing him in the same way they have with previous managerial appointments. That two year contract is not and was never meant to be anything other than a short term plan until someone who they really want becomes available.

There's really no logic in the idea that they club would hold back squad investment because they don't rate the manager that they appointed.

Firstly, if they don't give him the players the squad needs, we can very easily find ourselves back outside the top 5 again, further harming our finances and progress. This "next" manager that you suppose they're waiting for will then be walking into a club in a far worse position with a worse squad, worse finances and worse ability to attract players.

We're meant to be moving away from signing players for a specific manager and letting them have too much influence, and instead just signing good players that the recruitment team identify.

The goal is to improve the squad season on season to the point it's more capable of winning the big trophies. The next manager that you think they're waiting for will benefit from the signings we'll make this summer.

 

[Isotope]

Would this penny pinching happened if we hired Tuchel, Nagelsmann, or Enrique, or even Southgate? Would this be part of the Board presentation when interviewing candidates?

Or is it because "it's just Carrick" and the Board expect him to get by with whatever as he won't rock the boat?

 

[croadyman]

Would this penny pinching happened if we hired Tuchel, Nagelsmann, or Enrique, or even Southgate? Would this be part of the Board plan when interviewing candidates?

Or is it because "it's just Carrick" and the Board expect him to get by with whatever and won't rock the boat?

Exactly, they know he won't say anything

 

[Isotope]

This is a good point, he never in a million years would've thought he'd have got the Utd job this time last year. The fact was he was brought in as a caretaker to see out the season. Then the board still wasn't totally convinced of him until late on in the season and his reward, a 2 year deal, hardly a glowing endorsement. This is why I think the club aren't backing him in the same way they have with previous managerial appointments. That two year contract is not and was never meant to be anything other than a short term plan until someone who they really want becomes available.

If the Club has vision of certain football style, whether the Board are "convinced" or not with Carrick, it shouldn't prohibit the Club to buy good players.

Even with variance of formations 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, we still need need good DM, CB, and LB at the minimum.

 

[Isotope]

Exactly, they know he won't say anything

It's just hilarious, isn't it? We live in a world where the whiner would get more.

 

[croadyman]

It's just hilarious, isn't it? We live in a world where the whiner would get more.

Yeah that's pretty much the size of it

 

[Gator Nate]

8th longest serving manager in the Premier League currently.

I attribute this to high intestinal fortitude. Or something like that, anyway.

He should take it as a compliment: More than half the league has responded to his hiring by replacing their own manager.

 

[AfonsoAlves]

Are we really at the stage where we're now moaning that the club is refusing to back the manager and Carrick is a yes man so he won't saying anything? FFS.

We have another month of transfer window left.

We didn't sign Sesko until 9th august. Year before that we didn't sign Ugarte until end of August.

There is still time ffs!

 

[ElCuddlos]

This thread! "Why isn't Carrick moaning as much as me?". Maybe because he's not a bedwetter with a toddler's emotional intelligence.

 

[croadyman]

This thread! "Why isn't Carrick moaning as much as me?". Maybe because he's not a bedwetter with a toddler's emotional intelligence.

That's so classless branding people who care as kids, this club means the absolute World to some of us. We don't like seeing a club legend not fully backed because of a minority ownership situation

 

[AfonsoAlves]

That's so classless branding people who care as kids, this club means the absolute World to some of us

The problem is you're complaining halfway through the transfer window, with no indication that we don't want to spend, with no indication that we're just sitting by and not going to do any more transfers, and furthermore no indication that Carrick is unhappy with how transfers are being handled.

Like, what do you want? All our transfers to be completed before August?

Maybe complain when its actually been confirmed we're not buying anyone else?

 

[Bright_Eyes]

That's so classless branding people who care as kids, this club means the absolute World to some of us. We don't like seeing a club legend not fully backed because of a minority ownership situation

We have no idea how much he's being backed though since it's barely August

 

[croadyman]

The problem is you're complaining halfway through the transfer window, with no indication that we don't want to spend, with no indication that we're just sitting by and not going to do any more transfers, and furthermore no indication that Carrick is unhappy with how transfers are being handled.

Like, what do you want? All our transfers to be completed before August?

Maybe complain when its actually been confirmed we're not buying anyone else?

Ideally yes I would want the transfers completed by then so Carrick has the players to get a full pre season. I also wish the likes of Whitwell and Ducker would belt up if all they are gonna say is suggest we may not sign a third CM.

 

[maximus419]

Well why did they keep him on if there was never any financial ability to back him this summer then

Maybe no other top manager wants the Utd job right now, just like some top players will choose other clubs if the finances and ambition don't match their own?
There's a number of reasons why Carrick was kept on and one is arguably he's less demanding and therefore for the owners he's easier to say no to.

Look at how difficult Amorim was to work with, he was demanding players to fit his system and indeed was quick to say their would be pain and similar musings to pressure the club into buying him the players he needs. There's been none of that with Carrick and given he's generally a passive and quiet personality I highly doubt he will do anything other than get on with the job regardless of how much he gets backed. That would've been quite influential to the board deciding to give him the job.

 

[croadyman]

Maybe no other top manager wants the Utd job right now, just like some top players will choose other clubs if the finances and ambition don't match their own?
There's a number of reasons why Carrick was kept on and one is arguably he's less demanding and therefore for the owners he's easier to say no to.

Look at how difficult Amorim was to work with, he was demanding players to fit his system and indeed was quick to say their would be pain and similar musings to pressure the club into buying him the players he needs. There's been none of that with Carrick and given he's generally a passive and quiet personality I highly doubt he will do anything other than get on with the job regardless of how much he gets backed. That would've been quite influential to the board deciding to give him the job.

Yeah think you are bang on

 

[ElCuddlos]

That's so classless branding people who care as kids, this club means the absolute World to some of us. We don't like seeing a club legend not fully backed because of a minority ownership situation

Yeah and your trail of urine that you leave in every thread really screams class.

 

[Zumbi]

Would this penny pinching happened if we hired Tuchel, Nagelsmann, or Enrique, or even Southgate? Would this be part of the Board presentation when interviewing candidates?

Or is it because "it's just Carrick" and the Board expect him to get by with whatever as he won't rock the boat?

Yes. Us having a different manager wouldn’t have made players cheaper or our finances any better.

 

[croadyman]

Yeah and your trail of urine that you leave in every thread really screams class.

I just care about my club and the ownership is trash, so jealous of clubs who have got no financial problems. Praying Michael isn't another Utd legend who doesn't end up get the backing he needs.

 

[bgoodall]

I think we have a huge advantage over some of our competition going into the season. The players know what they have in Carrick and he knows what he has in them. While everyone is worried about De Zerbi, Maresca, and Iraola, no one knows how long it will take them to gel with their systems and players. In addition, it’s year 2 for quite a few of our players who “should” be better than last year. Consistency is a huge advantage in my view. We’ll see if we get lucky avoiding injuries and add a player or two as well.

 

[Zumbi]

I think we have a huge advantage over some of our competition going into the season. The players know what they have in Carrick and he knows what he has in them. While everyone is worried about De Zerbi, Maresca, and Iraola, no one knows how long it will take them to gel with their systems and players. In addition, it’s year 2 for quite a few of our players who “should” be better than last year. Consistency is a huge advantage in my view. We’ll see if we get lucky avoiding injuries and add a player or two as well.

Yeah there’s zero chance all the new managers hit the ground running. It’s going to be interesting to see how it pans out.

 

[ElCuddlos]

I just care about my club and the ownership is trash, so jealous of clubs who have got no financial problems. Praying Michael isn't another Utd legend who doesn't end up get the backing he needs.

I'm just so sick of your relentless negativity. It's so repetitive and boring, it just adds nothing to the conversation. But I guess that is what the ignore feature is for....

 

[devilish]

I used to hate when the term 'setting the manager to fail' during the ETH era as it usually meant not buying him the next midget in defence or that winger who can't dribble from Eredivisie. However in this case it's perfectly put. Carrick is an inexperienced manager. He'll be competing on multiple fronts and this squad is simply not good enough. Hopefully we'll add real talent to the team before the window shut. However I much doubt it.

 

[devilish]

This is a good point, he never in a million years would've thought he'd have got the Utd job this time last year. The fact was he was brought in as a caretaker to see out the season. Then the board still wasn't totally convinced of him until late on in the season and his reward, a 2 year deal, hardly a glowing endorsement. This is why I think the club aren't backing him in the same way they have with previous managerial appointments. That two year contract is not and was never meant to be anything other than a short term plan until someone who they really want becomes available.

It's an ahole move towards a man who doesn't deserve it. Many underestimate how important Carrick was as a player. Prior of him joining us, United ended up 3rd twice. That's might be considered as a fantastic result for the current leeches that own us but back then it was a tragedy. Carrick had to fill the boots of what was, back then, the heart of the team (Keane) and who went rogue forcing the club for a change. He made the change look effortless and we instantly won the EPL title paving yet another dynasty of success.

He did the same as a manager. Wilcox/Berrada stuck their neck on Amorim, a decision that might have costed Ashworth his job. Turned out that their data driven choice was a disaster and by late December they had a petulant prima donna whose system those two had banked upon was clearly a shambles. Carrick came in, he turned things around and we ended up qualifying to the CL thus saving their hide in the process. No one pressured them to make Carrick our permanent manager and he would have easily fount a top job afterwards as his stock was high. There were talks that Spurs were interested.

 

[MadDogg]

Maybe no other top manager wants the Utd job right now, just like some top players will choose other clubs if the finances and ambition don't match their own?
There's a number of reasons why Carrick was kept on and one is arguably he's less demanding and therefore for the owners he's easier to say no to.

Look at how difficult Amorim was to work with, he was demanding players to fit his system and indeed was quick to say their would be pain and similar musings to pressure the club into buying him the players he needs. There's been none of that with Carrick and given he's generally a passive and quiet personality I highly doubt he will do anything other than get on with the job regardless of how much he gets backed. That would've been quite influential to the board deciding to give him the job.

What players did we buy for Amorim's system? Everyone we bought was also fine to play in other systems, and indeed the only player we bought that was already playing that system previously was Cunha who actually performed better once we changed to 4231.

Actually Dorgu was probably bought because he seemed suited to the wingback role, so he's one. Everyone else seemed to be players that the club wanted to fill the roles we most needed, with the manager then expected to make it work. And even Dorgu is adaptable enough to play other positions now, which is actually what the club seems to be prioritising instead of getting specialists. I expect the same now, with Carrick having input into the decision making but ultimately it being the club deciding on the players.

 

[Zumbi]

What players did we buy for Amorim's system? Everyone we bought was also fine to play in other systems, and indeed the only player we bought that was already playing that system previously was Cunha who actually performed better once we changed to 4231.

Actually Dorgu was probably bought because he seemed suited to the wingback role, so he's one. Everyone else seemed to be players that the club wanted to fill the roles we most needed, with the manager then expected to make it work. And even Dorgu is adaptable enough to play other positions now, which is actually what the club seems to be prioritising instead of getting specialists. I expect the same now, with Carrick having input into the decision making but ultimately it being the club deciding on the players.

Well said .

And doesn’t even apply to Dorgu - when we bought him the club talked up how versatile he was. Around the same time the club explicitly said they wanted to buy versatile players who could play in different systems.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

We have no idea how much he's being backed though since it's barely August

Why are we acting like it's still early in the window? Majority of our original targets have been signed or made unavailable at this point, it's not like there's this huge rush of dominos that's going to come unless Madrid somehow tell Tchoumeni to leave. Regardless of that, ideally you want to have most of your signings to compete in preseason and get acclimated.

 

[Ole's screen]

Why are we acting like it's still early in the window? Majority of our original targets have been signed or made unavailable at this point, it's not like there's this huge rush of dominos that's going to come unless Madrid somehow tell Tchoumeni to leave. Regardless of that, ideally you want to have most of your signings to compete in preseason and get acclimated.

But do we know what our original targets were and how highly did we value them over our 3rd choice targets for instance?

I mean I might want a Honda Odyssey but if they start asking for Ferrari money for it I’d happily move to a comparable Toyota. Do we know that that’s not the case here?

 

[Bright_Eyes]

Why are we acting like it's still early in the window? Majority of our original targets have been signed or made unavailable at this point, it's not like there's this huge rush of dominos that's going to come unless Madrid somehow tell Tchoumeni to leave. Regardless of that, ideally you want to have most of your signings to compete in preseason and get acclimated.

Sure but it's gotta be weighed up against overpaying. There's a balance.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

But do we know what our original targets were and how highly did we value them over our 3rd choice targets for instance?

I mean I might want a Honda Odyssey but if they start asking for Ferrari money for it I’d happily move to a comparable Toyota. Do we know that that’s not the case here?

I mean I guess if you want to stick your head in the sand and ignore every report out there then sure we don't know. But anyone who's rational could tell you it was pretty clear the club wanted Anderson, and then Fernandes, and Tchoumeni. It also seems incredibly obvious that we panicked and tanked the Ederson deal once we learned Santos was available instead.

 

[Shark]

I mean I guess if you want to stick your head in the sand and ignore every report out there then sure we don't know. But anyone who's rational could tell you it was pretty clear the club wanted Anderson, and then Fernandes, and Tchoumeni. It also seems incredibly obvious that we panicked and tanked the Ederson deal once we learned Santos was available instead.

At this point we were probably better off keeping Ederson regardless of Santos ffs. Anyone over Ugarte.

 

[Pep Guard Yolo]

Ideally yes I would want the transfers completed by then so Carrick has the players to get a full pre season. I also wish the likes of Whitwell and Ducker would belt up if all they are gonna say is suggest we may not sign a third CM.

Nobody knows anything, especially those two. Utd are so cloak & dagger this season that it’s impossible to predict anything. Journos need clicks, as is their business, and Utd are giving them less than crumbs.
Enjoy the summer and be (hopefully) pleasantly surprised when something happens, whether left field or predicted. I’m actually enjoying the surprises.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

At this point we were probably better off keeping Ederson regardless of Santos ffs. Anyone over Ugarte.

I'd probably agree with you and I was vehemently against signing Ederson.

Seems like INEOS is pulling a classic Glazers special and calling Mount the "3rd midfield signing" because he's playing well.

 

[ron86]

Would this penny pinching happened if we hired Tuchel, Nagelsmann, or Enrique, or even Southgate? Would this be part of the Board presentation when interviewing candidates?

Or is it because "it's just Carrick" and the Board expect him to get by with whatever as he won't rock the boat?

Maybe that's one of the reasons we didn't go with anyone else, we couldn't offer them a warchest anymore

 

[pocco]

'It's barely August' on the 6th August is a new one. I love watching these arguments each year - incredible amounts of copium on display.

The transfer window isn't even open yet.

It's only July.

We still have two weeks.

We have made some big signings near the deadline.

If we drop points in our first game then we'll pull the chequebook out.

*window closes*

Glazers out, Ratcliffe out, shit season ahead.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

'It's barely August' on the 6th August is a new one. I love watching these arguments each year - incredible amounts of copium on display.

The transfer window isn't even open yet.

It's only July.

We still have two weeks.

We have made some big signings near the deadline.

If we drop points in our first game then we'll pull the chequebook out.

*window closes*

Glazers out, Ratcliffe out, shit season ahead.

The only thing that has me still excited for the season is that I genuinely think we played the best football in the league after Carrick came in so I enjoy watching us now. But I can't help but feel the dread of a thin squad and a couple of injuries absolutely fecking over our season because our pompous senior management figured themselves too smart to just go out and grab the reinforcements we need in a timely manner.

 

[pocco]

The only thing that has me still excited for the season is that I genuinely think we played the best football in the league after Carrick came in so I enjoy watching us now. But I can't help but feel the dread of a thin squad and a couple of injuries absolutely fecking over our season because our pompous senior management figured themselves too smart to just go out and grab the reinforcements we need in a timely manner.

I can't say I found our football that great, but Carrick's arrival did also coincide with the downturn of form from the likes of Villa, Liverpool, Chelsea and a couple of others. The whole league was crap on the whole last season, otherwise I wouldn't have us as a top 4 finish based on our performances.

But we have 4 additional players now, all of which he seemingly wanted. We lost Casemiro obviously. But I think Carrick will be quite happy with what he has and can therefore be expected to improve on last seasons finish.

 

[Olecurls99]

The only thing that has me still excited for the season is that I genuinely think we played the best football in the league after Carrick came in so I enjoy watching us now. But I can't help but feel the dread of a thin squad and a couple of injuries absolutely fecking over our season because our pompous senior management figured themselves too smart to just go out and grab the reinforcements we need in a timely manner.

I count 23 senior pros at the club. We might not have quality throughout but you can only register 25 players for the CL iirc so we're definitely not thin.