Carrick reveals Man Utd dream as pressure ‘doesn’t feel as big as it looks’

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 11 Apr 2026 09:02 BST
• 4 min read

News

Michael Carrick has spoken out about his ambitions to take the Manchester United manager role on a permanent basis, the long-term ambitions for the club and how his Old Trafford ‘DNA’ has helped him succeed as interim boss.

Carrick stepped into the Old Trafford dugout on 10 January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, and a run of seven victories from 10 matches has put the Englishman firmly in contention to take the job on a permanent basis.

United have made it clear that they want to assess their options and have not rushed into anything with the 44-year-old, despite his 70% winning record thus far. The decision is not expected to come until the season is over.

Man Utd DNA is helping Carrick shine

It’s something that Carrick is left unconcerned by, having spent 12 years of his playing career dealing with the scrutiny of being a Manchester United player. And he believes that this has helped him settle into his temporary role.

“There are parts of it – and I am not being blasé when I say it – that I have known for so long,” he told Sky Sports. “The pressure is something I have lived with for a long time.

“What's expected here, how to go about achieving things, the amount of support we have, and the scrutiny is something that becomes normal after a while.

“It does not feel as big as it probably looks from the outside for me personally.”

Carrick outlines dream scenario

And Carrick admits it’s a position that he wants on a long-term basis, outlining his dream to be the first English manager to win the Premier League while at Old Trafford.

“I'd love that to be the case,” he said. “We had a manager here for quite a period of time who was definitely not English but hugely successful. If it got to the stage and that was me, that would be amazing.

“That's got to be the goal at some point for this football club, to be back to winning league titles. It is where we want to be.”

Not pushing for a quick resolution

But Carrick, who appears to be savouring his situation, is not about to exert any pressure on those above him to make a decision over his future while there is still meaningful football to be played.

“I understand the situation, and where we were at when we came back in January, the plan for the rest of the season and the possibilities in the summer. I don't think that's changed,” he said.

“Things will get sorted when they get sorted. For me it's just about doing the best job that we can and plan for the future and the good of the club and the players in the squad. I am not coming to get through to the end of the season and deal with what's next.

“I think it's important we make a plan and follow that through for the squad to get stronger. If I am part of it then I am part of it. If not, then that is the situation I walked into.”