MICHAEL CARRICK plans to be tactically flexible at Manchester United – after 14 months of Ruben Amorim’s one-way street.
The legendary Old Trafford midfielder has officially replaced caretaker coach Darren Fletcher after Amorim was sacked on January 5.
Amorim faced intense scrutiny for his devotion to the 3-4-2-1 formation—a stance so controversial that director of football Jason Wilcox challenged it directly during their final, heated meeting.
But Carrick insists adaptability is the key to his 17-game plan to secure top-tier European football for United next season.
The 44-year-old told MUTV: “It goes without saying, we want to win games.
“There’s different ways of doing it, of course. Different scenarios, different situations in games.
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“You might have to play certain ways. But for me, I love working with the players and helping them get better individually, which hopefully will help the team improve and be there to support them.
“I’m one of them. We’re all in it together. I think it’s important that here we all look after each other.
“I know it comes down to results. Hopefully we can play a really exciting type of football. And be positive and express and bring excitement. I want to be on the edge of my seat.
“I want to be enjoying watching the boys play. And results obviously need to come with that.
“I can feel my enthusiasm for it because I’m buzzing to get started and see what we can do.”
Carrick is expected to play a 4-2-3-1 now he is back in the Old Trafford hotseat, where he won two of his three games as caretaker boss in 2021.
However, as he has hinted, that formation could well change depending on the game and personnel available as he bids to seal Champions League football next year.
He said as his new role was announced: “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour.
“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.
“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.
“There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”
He will be assisted by former England No2 Steve Holland, with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion also part of his staff.
The former Boro manager added: “I’m delighted to have Steve, he has an unbelievable wealth of experience at Chelsea in terms of going through a similar situation when the club has changed manager and coach.”
Holland, 55, flourishes in chaos, having worked under six different Chelsea managers during his eight years at Stamford Bridge.
Three of those gaffers, Roberto di Matteo, Benitez and Guus Hiddink, were appointed as caretakers during a mid-season crisis, just like Carrick.
Carrick added: “Jonathan is the perfect balance for me. He challenges me and he’ll keep doing that.
“Travis, this club is about young players and about producing young players and having a line with the academy and a pathway and understanding what it means.
“And Jonny, is Jonny. He is someone who is close to me and I respect and appreciate everything he stands for. He’s got unbelievable knowledge about the club.
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“He’s come through the whole football club and he understands the day-to-day. He’s got such a massive experience to pass onto the players.
“There’s a real balance of personalities, knowledge and experience. And I’m really happy with what we are going into.”
Amorim memorably referred to the academy culture as “entitled” but the former Sporting boss did promote several kids to his first-team.
However, despite eight first team injuries, Amorim was hesitant to rely on the club’s younger players in his final weeks at the helm.
Carrick added: “I have loved it. Every younger player deserves a chance. It’s up to them to earn the opportunity but it’s always something I have been passionate about.
“It’s what this club has been about for so long and it’s what the fans want to see. That freshness, that rawness.
“So I’m all for helping those players and to give them opportunities. I’m definitely all for that because that is what this place should be.”
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