Michael Carrick suggests he will be adaptable and concentrate on getting results as Manchester United interim manager, but hopes to bring an exciting brand of football with that.
The 44-year-old was confirmed as the new interim boss at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, following Ruben Amorim’s sacking and Darren Fletcher’s brief caretaker stint, expected to take charge of the team until the end of the season.
Carrick had a short spell in interim charge of United in 2021, before leaving and spending nearly three seasons as Middlesbrough boss.
A permanent manager will be brought in then, although Carrick will hope that he and his staff have done so well that the interim boss will be in contention to stay on.
The former England midfielder takes charge of the Red Devils with them sitting seventh in the Premier League and with two very tough games to start as Manchester United host Manchester City on Saturday and go to Arsenal the following weekend.
Carrick is not making any promises on the way his team will set up, but says results come first, with excitement a bonus.
‘You want to win games, that goes without saying that we want to win game,’ he told Inside Carrington. ‘There’s different ways of doing it, different scenarios, different situations in games when you might have to play a certain way.
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‘For me, it’s working with the players, I love working with the players, helping them get better individually. Help the team improve and be there to support them. I’m one of them, we’re all in it together and it’s important we all look after each other.
‘I want to enjoy watching the boys play’
‘Of course I know it comes down to results. Hopefully we can play a really exciting type of football, be positive and bring excitement. I want to be off my seat, I want to enjoy watching the boys play and results obviously need to come with that.
‘Hopefully you can feel my enthusiasm for it, I’m buzzing to get started and see what we can do.’
The new boss is relishing working with the squad, some of which he knows well from his previous stint as a coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then interim manager.
‘I think there’s a lot of talent in there’
Carrick feels his knowledge of what it takes to achieve as a player at the club will help some of the younger players adapt to the demanding environment.
‘I think there’s a lot of talent in there, a lot of ability and a good number of younger players as well, learning their way and finding their way and learning what it actually feels like to play here,’ he said.
‘I think that’s an important thing that it’s very difficult to put a gauge on and explain how it is. There’s certainly that feeling that it’s an unbelievable place to play football, but it can sometimes take a bit of adjusting and getting used to and that’s fine.
‘I think that was the same for all of us, even when we had really successful teams that were winning leagues and winning a lot, there’s an adjustment and adapting.
‘I think that’s part of me and my staff to help them go through that, shape them and have a big end to the season.’
Carrick's to-do list - Four things he must fix quickly to halt slide
Manchester United were incredibly generous leading up to Christmas and over the festive period, handing out points at home to Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves before draws away to Leeds and Burnley.
But as is stands, they are firmly within touching distance of the Champions League spots, just a point off fifth place.
Even after being knocked out of the FA Cup, there is still plenty to salvage from the season - if Carrick and his staff can make some quick fixes.
Solve Sesko's struggles up front
Benjamin Sesko has had some fleeting moments of promise this season but the jury is still out. At times, the Slovenia international has looked effective foil for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, holding the ball up and linking play intelligently in the final third.
But questions over his physicality and unconvincing finishing remain. His performance against Burnley largely summed things up - scoring twice with two excellent finishes in the second-half but only after a thoroughly wretched display in the opening 45 where he could barely keep the ball under control.
Another goal against Brighton on Sunday means the 22-year-old has scored more under Darren Fletcher than he did under Amorim. A change of system and playing style has offered early promise.
Abandon the dreaded 3-4-3
It would serve as a huge shock were Carrick to persist with the system that became nothing but a cross to bear for Amorim.
Carrick very rarely deviated from a 4-2-3-1 formation at Middlesbrough, sometimes to his detriment, with a lack of a 'plan B' often cited as one of the reasons his failed to achieve promotion.
But this system appears to be perfectly suited to the Red Devils squad. Too often it has been a case of square pegs in round holes for United over the last year. Simplifying matters may be the interim boss' best course of action in the six months he has.
Reintegrate Mainoo and revive his United fortunes
As he may have been privately hoping for all season, Kobbie Mainoo has managed to outlast Ruben Amorim. With no Premier League starts to his name, it has been a miserable campaign but the change in system will surely open up a role in midfield for the 20-year-old.
United are desperately short of the controlling, calm presence Carrick once provided in the engine room. Who better to teach Mainoo the ropes.
It's a two-way street - United need inspiration in midfield and Mainoo needs to deliver if he is to stand any chance of forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel's England squad heading to the World Cup next summer. There can be no more excuses.
Unleash Fernandes in his old role
Restoring Mainoo to midfield and a shift in system could see Bruno Fernandes restored to the more advanced role where he has historically been at his prolific best in Manchester.
The Portugal international scored 44 goals and laid on 35 assists in his 97 games while Carrick served as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's assistant, averaging 0.81 goal contributions per game.
It might require some tinkering with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo also in the picture but the rewards could be enormous.
Fernandes has performed admirably in his deeper role this season but it is further up the pitch where he is most dangerous. Amid reports the captain has had enough of Old Trafford, keeping him happy is a top priority.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor,
Carrick will be joined by Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion, Jonny Evans and Craig Mawson on his coaching staff.
Caretaker boss Darren Fletcher returns to his role as Under-18 manager after two games leading the first team.
