First team coach and former midfielder Michael Carrick displayed what a real class act he is when he voluntarily stepped down as a coach at Old Trafford – immediately prior to new gaffer Ralf Rangnick stepping into the dugout officially for the Red Devils’ next encounter – after overseeing the laudable 3-2 win over Arsenal.
Carrick had apparently been mulling over the matter for some time before finally deciding to step down as the first-team coach and ending his long association with the Manchester club after helming the Red Devils’ one last time in Thursday’s morale-boosting victory against Arsenal as the caretaker manager immediately after former boss Solskjaer was given his marching papers.
After joining from Tottenham in 2006, the midfielder won Champions League honors besides five Premier League titles in a highly successful playing career laden with trophies with United.
Upon retiring in 2018 as a player, Carrick was roped into Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff and then subsequently worked under Solskjaer after the Portuguese was axed. The former midfielder finally stepped in for the Norwegian following the latter’s exit last month.
40-year-old Carrick, clearly a pragmatist not afraid to make bold calls in managing his players, had been primarily responsible for overseeing the 2-0 Champions League victory at Villarreal and 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea, before beating Arsenal 3-2 at a robust Old Trafford.
Thursday’s thrilling match served as his last under the United banner, with the club officially announcing immediately after the game that Carrick had stepped down ahead of interim boss Ralf Rangnick taking over at the helm.
“It’s 15 and a half years I’ve been here now and it literally takes over your life,” the departing first-team coach said. “It should do as well.
“I’ve dedicated everything I could possibly do as a player and then obviously as a coach.
“I promised my family when I was playing that after I’d finished playing, because you put so much into it, that I’d retire and we’d have a bit of time together. It never happened, I came straight into coaching.
“Just in kind of recent days, it’s just that feeling that the timing’s right, it feels right.
“It’s not been easy to make the decision in that respect but in terms of family and how I feel right now I’m really content and happy and looking forward to what’s ahead.
“It’s a rollercoaster, it’s been amazing. I’ve had incredible memories, some special nights.
“Tonight was obviously special but tonight wasn’t about me. It was the players and the fans, experiencing them type of nights which we should do.”
Asked when he had informed players and staff about his decision to leave, the caretaker boss said: “I told the coaches, the immediate first-team coaches, today at around lunchtime and then I told the players straight after the game.
“I didn’t want anything to be about me today. It was all about the players and getting the right result.
“I told them straight after the game in the changing room. It was emotional obviously, probably caught them off guard a little bit, but it’s a terrific group of players and I’m sure they’ll go onto great things.
“I’ll be supporting them. I’m not going anywhere, I’m still here, I’ll be supporting them home and away.
“My son is driving me mad to take him to an away game again. I’ve told the players I’ll be right behind them.”
In all, Carrick made a total of 464 appearances for United and leaves a legacy without blemish as as a club great, with football director John Murtough praising his unquestionable impact as midfielder and coach.
“He will always be known as one of the finest midfielders in the history of Manchester United, and, more recently, as an excellent coach who has worked tirelessly under two managers to help develop the strong squad which Ralf will now take charge of,” he said.
“We are grateful for the steady leadership Michael has shown through this period of managerial transition, and, while he is now stepping away from day-to-day involvement, he will always be welcome back as a legend of the club.”