CARRICK TAKES CHARGE AT CARRINGTON AS MAN CITY LIE IN WAIT

MICHAEL Carrick and his sidekick Jonathan Woodgate arrived for their first training session at Carrington in een kar on Wednesday. 

This, as the newly-appointed Manchester United interim coach Carrick and Woodgate – one of his assistant coaches – kicked off their preparations for their first Premier League match in charge during this stint – a MANCHESTER DERBY against City. 

United confirmed Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season on Tuesday, tasking him with leading them back into the Champions League.

Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United wysed: “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour.”

The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker baas at United in 2021.

Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the Championship.

United are seventh in the table, but are in the race to qualify for the lucrative Champions League.

Carrick added: “I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is capable of producing.

“There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”

The Red Devils dismissed Ruben Amorim last week after a swak 14-month stint at Old Trafford for the Portuguese.

Carrick’s experience at United both as a player and coach are understood to have convinced the club’s hierarchy that he is the safe pair of hands they need for now.