Michael Carrick has not been shy in showing his praise for one of Manchester United’s current stars as his return to the club is finalised.
Manchester United are continuing their search for a caretaker manager to oversee the first team until the end of the season following Rúben Amorim’s dismissal last week.
Michael Carrick has emerged as the leading contender, ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, with both former United players having held virtual and face-to-face talks with CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox in recent days.
For now, U18s head coach Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge, taking charge for the 2-2 draw against Burnley and the FA Cup loss to Brighton last week.
United are expected to make a final decision within the next 48 hours as they prepare for this weekend’s derby against Manchester City, with Carrick currently the favourite
Carrick is a major fan of Fernandes
Carrick has already worked with several of United’s current senior players during his stint as Solskjær’s assistant coach between 2018 and 2021, including Bruno Fernandes. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand in July, the English boss had plenty ot say about United’s current club captain.
“I like Bruno. I worked with him when I worked with Ole, and he’s fantastic, Carrick told Ferdinand on the latter’s YouTube channel.
“He’s got a real… he’s desperate to do well, you know, he’s so keen to do well. And that’s a really positive thing and then sometimes he can overdo it sometimes as well. And it’s such a fine balance, but his attitude, he plays every game, he never misses training, he’s there all the time.
“Puts himself out there, puts himself forward, and he’s been the main man, really, the talisman for some time. And when there are moments, or there’s something that’s needed, Bruno’s been the one to step up. It’s not just that little bit of football on the pitch, there’s a whole other world out there, isn’t there?
“Like you’ve got to kind of, there’s a responsibility really, I think, in terms of behaviour and how you act and how you do things. And that was certainly from when I came through the door, that was like, that was almost thrown upon you.
“You had no choice, but you gave a deal, you don’t and if you don’t, then see you later. Bruno’s the type that he embraced all that straight away.”
Fernandes will be a close ally to Carrick
A lot has been made about the future of Fernandes at United, with the player close to joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last summer, although he ultimately rejected the contract after discussions with his family.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Carrick was an incredibly popular figure around United and with the dressing room during his last stint at the club, and Fernandes himself was known to be a close ally of the legendary midfielder.
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With Carrick likely to be appointed as United’s head coach, the report states that Fernandes will act as a ‘sounding board’ for the interim boss until the end of the season and will likely work in tandem with Carrick to stabilise the ship.
The former United midfielder also knows how to make a decision. During his three-game spell as interim boss in 2021, he secured two wins and a draw, with that draw coming away against Chelsea.
He dropped Cristiano Ronaldo for the tie, but following Carrick’s exit, Ronaldo still waxed lyrical about his coaching abilities.
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