Harry Maguire has been waxing lyrical about new head coach Michael Carrick as Manchester United prepare to face Man City on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United are yet to record a win in 2026 as they prepare to face local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The year has begun poorly for United, who have been held to a 1-1 draw by 16th-placed Leeds United and a 2-2 draw by 19th-placed Burnley, before crashing out of the FA Cup at home to Brighton. The turbulent run also saw former Head Coach Rúben Amorim dismissed midway through the sequence.
With the Manchester derby approaching, United have named Michael Carrick as head coach until the end of the season, handing him his first match in charge against City.
Carrick has prior experience in the role, having taken temporary charge in November 2021, when he oversaw victories against Arsenal and Villarreal, along with a 1-1 draw against then league leaders Chelsea.
Carrick has already impressed in training
Carrick has only taken a few sessions so far since rejoining United, with Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday all providing the team to get to better know their new head coach.
Speaking with Sky Sports, United centre-back Harry Maguire, who has only just returned from injury, was asked what he’s made of Carrick and his new coaching staff during training so far.
“[I’ve been] really impressed,” the 32-year-old admitted. “Obviously, I knew Carras from before, and I spoke really highly of him. He was a magnificent coach when he was here under Ole [Gunnar Solskjær].”
Maguire continued, explaining, “He’s got great ideas. He speaks really well. Tactically, he’s really, really good. And obviously, now he’s had a lot of experience at Middlesbrough as a manager. And I’m sure he’s going to come in here and implement his ideas.
“He’s a legend of the club, and I’m sure the fans will get right behind him. But yeah, I must say, with him and all his coaching staff, I’ve been really impressed this week.”
Carrick’s energy is different to Amorim’s
During the latter weeks of Amorim’s campaign, the mood and football during games started to feel flat on the pitch, with some fans ciriticisng the lack of percieved energy.
When asked whether there has been any signifiacnt difference since Carrick’s arrival, Maguire elaborated that the former England international’s main focus has been upping the energy in training, and that it’s working well.
“I think we haven’t had much time on the grass, but obviously we have had a couple of sessions,” he continued. “And yeah, I think he’s trying to bring new energy, new ideas, without drilling us too much at this moment tactically.
“I think he just wants to bring the energy back in the building, and I think that’s so important. Obviously, this club is scrutinised, a lot of eyes on it all the time, analysed. And a lot of people can lose a little bit of energy within that.
Read More: Three things spotted in Man Utd training as footage released of Michael Carrick’s first session
“Michael’s played here, he’s obviously performed in unbelievable teams, and he’s been a magnificent player, so he knows what it’s like to win here and what you need in a team and a group of people and a group of staff.
“And I feel like he’s brought a lot of energy to this week, and I think the players have bought into it.”
Carrick will be hoping to replicate this energy and bring it to the pitch when they welcome City to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.