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Man Utd players already against Michael Carrick appointment ahead of Villarreal clash
Manchester United hero Michael Carrick will oversee Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Villarreal in the wake of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.
Manchester United sack Ole Gunnar after Watford defeat
Manchester United players already have concerns after Michael Carrick was named as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s temporary replacement, reports say. The retired midfielder is poised to be in the dugout for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Villarreal. And the Red Devils can’t afford to lose the match in Spain as they look to make the knockout stages of the competition.
United decided to sack Solskjaer on Sunday, less than 24 hours after a 4-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Norwegian has insisted he’ll depart Old Trafford with his head held high, claiming to be ‘very proud’ of his time at the helm.
Now, Carrick is poised to be in charge for matches against Villarreal and Chelsea as the Red Devils look to turn their season around.
The retired midfielder was part of Solskjaer’s coaching set-up and will temporarily take the reins while the club hunt an experienced interim candidate.
Yet the Daily Mail suggest players are already against the appointment of Carrick.
It’s claimed there is a ‘concern’ that very little will change because they think the inexperience of Carrick, as well as Kieran McKenna, is one of the reasons they’re in such trouble.
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Carrick and McKenna are both young coaches, learning their trade in the game.
And while they’re in charge, United squad members fear they’ll continue to be stuck in a rut.
Carrick won five Premier League titles as a player at the club after joining from Tottenham back in the summer transfer window of 2006.
He also helped them claim Champions League glory in 2008, scoring in the penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in Moscow.
And whether he can steady the ship at United, with results going from bad to worse, remains to be seen.
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With the Red Devils looking for an interim boss until the end of the season, several names are being linked.
Laurent Blanc appears to be a potential candidate, having previously spent two years at Old Trafford as a player between 2001 and 2003.
The Frenchman is, however, currently working in the Middle East and there’s no guarantee he’ll leave his post with Al-Rayyan.
Steve Bruce has been tipped for the job and, according to some reports, is keen on it.
But Bruce, regardless of his popularity as a former United player, may struggle to contain a dressing room with such huge egos.
Furthermore, after toiling at Newcastle, his credentials aren’t exactly high.
And while Ralf Rangnick could revitalise United, he’s previously been ruled out because of his combative nature.
Regarding Carrick, meanwhile, Solskjaer has sent his former coach a message ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League tie.
“As I’ve said to them this morning as well, trust yourselves, you know we’re better than this,” he told MUTV.
“We’ve not been able to show it but go out, chest out, enjoy being a Man United player, in the Champions League, on the biggest stage.
“If and when you win the game, you’re through to the next round, Michael [Carrick] is going to be in charge.
“Michael, I have the utmost respect [for], I love Michael to bits. I’m becoming emotional now because he’s top.
“They’ll be fine. I’ll watch them and support them.”
Solskjaer also backed United to turn their campaign around.
“I am a fan and I wish the players all the best,” he said. "There are some very, very good players there, some good people.
“I’m sure we’ll see them puff their chest out and they’ll go on a run.”