Michael Carrick has impressed since taking interim charge at Manchester United with players making their feelings known
Archie Griggs and Matty Hewitt Football Writer
20:05, 28 Jan 2026
Michael Carrick has impressed since becoming Manchester United interim head coach
Michael Carrick left his Manchester United squad astounded with a remarkable exhibition of technique during training sessions. The former Red Devils midfielder has enjoyed a fairytale beginning to his tenure as interim boss through to the end of the season.
He guided United to triumph in the Manchester derby during his debut match at the helm, before orchestrating a thrilling win against Premier League table-toppers Arsenal.
Carrick will be eager to preserve his flawless record in the United hot seat when they welcome Fulham this weekend. His squad have been grafting intensively on the training pitch in preparation for the encounter, with the 44-year-old also participating in various drills.
Harry Maguire was left amazed by Carrick’s prowess during a passing exercise, as the Red Devils boss demonstrated he retains considerable ability.
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“He still does demos in passing drills and he still bangs it through the lines like he’s still got it,” said Maguire, speaking on the latest episode of the Inside Carrington podcast.
“He was doing the demos the other day, and I think he did two passes. Everyone did about 300. I think his two were the best I’ve seen out of them all! But no, he’s still got it and he’s really hands-on in training.
“Also, you’ve got Steve [Holland] as well there. When I was working with Steve at England, he was really hands-on in terms of taking most of the training sessions. So you’ve got two coaches there who like to get involved and I think it’s really good.”
Maguire, who has played every minute of both matches under Carrick, also praised the United boss for how he has conducted himself since taking charge.
He said: “I knew he would do that just from the experience of knowing Michael and also knowing the way that he coached when he was here under Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer].
“He spoke really, really well in the dressing room when he spoke back then and he was really just new into coaching then, so I had no surprises when he came in and the way that he spoke in his first meeting and the way the sessions have gone.
“And I do think that he’s got a great, great staff with him in terms of they’re all on the same page and I’ve been really impressed with him.”
Carrick is impressing in training(Image: Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Fellow defender Ayden Heaven also revealed he was reaping the rewards of collaborating with Carrick and his backroom staff, highlighting Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate as being especially beneficial.
“Yeah, it’s really good, Jonny especially, he’s been helping me a lot,” the 19-year-old said. “Me and Leny [Yoro], after some of the sessions, we go to do extras and just work on that, you know, the basics.
“And even between drills, during their sessions, they’re always pulling me to the side and helping me on my positioning. I’ve enjoyed it so far. They’re a big help.”
This follows Carrick implementing a ‘new rule’ at United, putting greater focus on individual work with particular players during training sessions. Sessions are now understood to be briefer but more demanding, with the squad reportedly reacting well to Carrick’s fresh methodology.
The players are also believed to be struck by the thoroughness demonstrated during pitch work.
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