Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backs ex-teammate to become Man Utd manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed his former teammate Michael Carrick to become the Manchester United manager in the future.
Solskjaer and Carrick played together for a short time at the end of the former's Man Utd career and at the start of the latter's, winning the 2006/07 Premier League title together. Since then, the pair have also worked together as coaches at Old Trafford, with Carrick serving as an assistant to Solskjaer during the Norwegian's stint as first-team manager.
Carrick is now the Middlesborough boss and has done a fantastic job at the club, finishing fourth in the Championship and booking a place in the promotion play-offs despite taking over an underperforming team in October 2022.
Speaking to The Athletic, Solskjaer has backed his former teammate and coaching colleague to take on the Man Utd managerial job at some point in the future.
"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," Solskjaer said.
"I cannot see him not being the Manchester United manager."
Solskjaer also discussed what he believes has made Carrick a successful manager to date, adding: "Michael is a proper human being, a proper man who you want to be successful. There's no s**t about him, he does what he does for the right reasons.
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"I don't like to compare myself to many people, but I can see myself in Michael and Michael in me. I'm not saying that I could pick a pass like he could, but the two of us are calm and reflective. He's a winner, a massive winner, yet he stays in control of his emotions. He knows what he wants and doesn't lose his rag. He'll never be emotional and fight with the players.
"Chuba Akpom, his top scorer, said recently that Michael's the manager he's always dreamed of having and I can believe that. As a player, you'd want to do well for Michael because he cares about you. He wants you to be the best you can be.
"If I was a player I'd want him as a manager because he wouldn’t be unreasonable. He knows what he wants. He demands respect and hard work, but he gives it back as well."
Carrick's Boro side are set to face off against Coventry City in the Championship play-off semi-finals over the next week, knowing that a win will take them to Wembley to face either Luton Town or Sunderland in a play-off final.
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