Michael Carrick has reportedly been making it clear to all Manchester United stars that they should not focus on their long-term futures until the summer.
Michael Carrick has a tough task ahead of him as he takes charge of Manchester United’s remaining 16 fixtures in charge of the season.
Following his first fixture back at the club, a 2-0 battering of Manchester City last weekend, feelings are positive and smiles are wide, but the aims for this season remain far from complete.
United want the 44-year-old to secure a spot for United in next season’s Champions League, which will require the club to finish in the top four of the Premier League, or possibly the top five if English teams in Europe progress far in the three UEFA competitions.
While Carrick’s aims are on the Champions League spots, the club are beginning their quest to find a new manager, as well as draw out their plans for sales and signings during the 2026 summer transfer window.
Carrick has been involved in player exit thoughts
While Amorim was in charge, three United stars, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Joshua Zirkzee, were reportedly desperate to leave the club in January amid their lack of game time and the head coach’s lack of faith in them.
However, with Carrick at the helm, Mainoo has already reversed his decision, while United have been rebuffing any approaches for Ugaret this month. However, Dutch reports emerging on the day of the City game stated that Zirzkee, who has a minor injury, may have already played his final game in Red.
However, according to The Mirror, Carrick has made a point of pulling Zirkzee aside for a private chat and has made it clear that the striker should focus solely on his immediate future at United until the end of the season, rather than entertain any possibility of a move away from the club.
The same has also been said to Mainoo, with Carrick adding that he trusts the midfielder implicitly and he is expected to play a major part in the coming months amid the race for Champions League football.
Carrick putting his faith in Dorgu
A third player, Carrick, reportedly pulled for a chat with Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu. The 21-year-old has had a rough start during his 12 months at the club, but has been brilliant since moving into more of an attacking role in Red.
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Carrick reportedly spoke to Dorgu to ensure the Dane was focusing solely on helping United, as the others were, and his selection against City was a sign of real faith in the player.
Carrick opted to start Dorgu on the left wing ahead of Matheus Cunha, and even when the latter was brought on, Dorgu remained with goalscorer Bryan Mbeumo, making way, with Cunha then assisting the Dane for his brilliant finish to secure the 2-0 win.
Dorgu played 90 minutes in that game and registered his fourth goal involvement in seven appearances, of which he has played 90 minutes in every single game. Carrick clearly has faith in the player, and could reap his rewards for the second half of the season.
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