Michael Carrick has been handed the reins by Manchester United until the end of the season as a replacement for Ruben Amorim, but he could have ended up in the Championship instead
Michael Carrick was appointed by Man United earlier this month(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick was reportedly close to a move to Southampton ahead of his appointment at Old Trafford. The former Red Devils midfielder was handed the reins until the end of the season earlier this month following Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
Carrick has had a positive start to life with the club, having led United to an impressive victory against Manchester City on his debut. But he may not have returned to Old Trafford after all, having eyed a number of roles following his exit from Championship side Middlesbrough.
According to Sky Sports, Carrick was interviewed by their second tier rivals Southampton over a move to the south coast following the exit of Will Still. However, in December they plumped for Tonda Eckert, who had been appointed on a caretaker basis initially.
The German coach had a fantastic impact early on, winning four of his first five games, convincing the Saints hierarchy to appoint him permanently. Things have rapidly gone downhill since, with Eckert winning just four of his following 12 games including Sunday’s 1-1 draw with fierce rivals Portsmouth.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick given clear instruction on how to get Man United job permanentlyREAD MORE: Man Utd academy parents ‘delighted’ by Ruben Amorim axe after pathway blocked
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It leaves Southampton sitting 15th in the Championship, seven points behind the playoff positions. In the meantime, Carrick has suggested that he is set to have an influence on future transfer dealings despite only having been appointed until the end of the campaign.
He said: “For the week or so that it’s been so far, looking too far down the track hasn’t happened so far. It’s just been the initial thoughts of what’s happening now. What the important thing for me is that any decision I make, my staff make, or the club make, it’s not short-term, It’s not just to get through to the end of the season.
“I’ve got a responsibility, whatever happens, to leave the club in a good place and moving forward, to make the right decisions. As time goes on, I’m sure I’ll be part of it and we’ll work our way through it.”
Tonda Eckert was eventually appointed by Southampton on a permanent basis(Image: Getty Images)
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Carrick has also confirmed he spoke to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was also in contention to temporarily return to United. He added: “Yeah, yeah I’ve spoken to him. We’re close, we’ve been through a lot together. He’s been fully supportive, as you’d expect. He’s some man, I respect him an awful lot. He wished us all the best, and he was happy that we got the right result.”
“I think, friendships, you have conversations… I’ve got a lot of friends in places that I can pick on if I need to. I’m not that one that bothers a lot of people to be honest, but… He’s certainly there if ever I need.”
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