Manchester United legend Michael Carrick called on help from Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Middlesbrough's clash with Preston North End
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It is the first full time managerial job for Michael Carrick, having otherwise previously only taken charge of three games on a caretaker basis. Those three games were in charge of Manchester United, so it’s not a bad place to start. In his three games he won two and drew one, with Chelsea, with one of his wins coming in the Champions League against Villareal.
It is a much publicised appointment due to the stellar career that Carrick had as a player, he won five league titles, two League Cups, an FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League and the Club World Cup whilst at Old Trafford during 11 years with the Red Devils.
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Hide AdHe made the switch into coaching under Jose Mourinho, retiring as captain at United, but spent most of his playing days under Sir Alex Ferguson.
![Michael Carrick during his time as caretaker boss of Manchester United.](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjViMDQ1ZmM2LWYyMTctNGZjMC1iNGYwLTExNzYyMWIzNTYzYzplMDZiYzY1ZC1iYzE4LTRmYzktOGI0Ny0zY2RlNGQ4YTEwZDc=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Michael Carrick during his time as caretaker boss of Manchester United.](/img/placeholder.png)
One of the world’s best ever manager, Carrick was quick to call on some advice from his former boss before taking over at Boro.
He said: “I spoke to Sir Alex a few times. I’ve spoken to him more since I stopped playing – I didn’t want to get too close to him when I was a player.
“I spoke to him a lot. It’s well documented that he has a real pride and a care about ex-players progressing and being coaches, managers and takes a real pride and care in helping them as well. He’s certainly done that to me and I really appreciate the advice he’s given me.”
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Hide Ad“I thought I knew football to a point until I got to United, and it taught me a whole different way of living, breathing, how to play football, how to win, and it all stemmed from the boss. He was a huge, huge influence, improved my game, made me a better person in all sorts of different ways, so I’ve got a lot to thank him for.”
Carrick is unlikely to be like Ferguson when it comes to management, by his own admission.
He said: “Do I look like an angry Scotsman? Listen, you’ve got to be your own person to a point. Society and social circles are very different now to what they were some time ago.
“I’m well aware of that and I think you’ve got to treat the individuals all differently to a point and get the best out of them individually – which he did, by the way, in different ways, so I learned a lot from that. But again, I’ve got to trust my instincts and not try to copy too much. I’m my own person and I’m comfortable with that.”
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Hide AdFirst up for Carrick is a trip to Deepdale on Saturday, 3pm, and he must also get Boro away from the relegation zone. After a poor start to the season under Chris Wilder they find themselves outside of the relegation places by virtue of goals scored.
With Boro being an ambitious club, Carrick has a job on his hands to get them to where they want to be, at least short term.