Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has tipped Michael Carrick to become Manchester United manager in the future after a remarkable first season in charge of Middlesbrough.
Carrick went from player to coach at Old Trafford and was initially part of Jose Mourinho’s staff. He also worked as part of Solskjaer’s coaching team and became interim manager when the Norwegian was dismissed in November 2021.
The former England international took over from Chris Wilder at Middlesbrough in October, with the Teessiders sitting in 21st place in the Championship table.
However, Carrick turned things around and Boro ended the season in fourth place. They now have a chance to return to the Premier League for the first time in six seasons and face Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals.
When Andy Mitten asked Solskjaer about Carrick’s job at Boro, he didn’t sound surprised and tipped his former colleague to become Manchester United manager in the future.
Solskjaer told The Athletic: “Michael is a man of value and principles, a big family man, but his knowledge is also second to none. He’s had Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho as managers, and he’s played with the best players in the world.
“He’s a winner but he’s still in control of his emotions. I cannot see him not being the Manchester United manager.
“At United, I’d sometimes see Michael talk to the players. Some of these were ex-teammates of his which isn’t easy, but he had an authority about him. I am 100 per cent sure that Michael will be the manager of Manchester United if he wants to be.”
Of course, Carrick is not the only coach that worked under Solskjaer at United to have since had big impacts as managers. Kieran McKenna led Ipswich Town to promotion from League One in his first full season, while Neil Wood’s Salford City have made the play-offs.
Solskjaer talks about all of them in his interview with The Athletic. It’s definitely worth reading in full.
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