Carrick reveals details of conversation with Rangnick, makes no mention of permanent coaching role! Keeps a low profile and avoids declaring top-four ambitions

At 44 years old, Carrick guided Manchester United to back-to-back victories against Manchester City and Arsenal in the opening two games, sparking daring fans to imagine a repeat of Ferguson’s 1995/96 season comeback over Newcastle to claim the championship. Carrick made it clear he would not get carried away and does not plan to proclaim the Red Devils’ target as a top-four finish.

Manchester United currently sits 12 points behind league leaders Arsenal, matching the deficit Newcastle faced that year. However, Arsenal is also 8 points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa, making a collapse by one team possible, but all three simultaneously dropping significantly is about as likely as winning the lottery jackpot.

After the match, Carrick had to cut short an interview with Norwegian legend Jan Åge Fjørtoft because Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanted to meet him; Rangnick was also watching the game at the Emirates Stadium.

Fjørtoft told the audience: "I was standing here ready to interview Carrick and about to ask the first question when a Manchester United representative interrupted me saying, 'Michael (Carrick), Rangnick wants to see you!' So he went back to the players’ tunnel to speak with Rangnick. When we brought Carrick back to the interview area, I planned to ask him about the meeting."

When finally asked about it, Carrick responded: "No, it wasn’t as much as you might think. The whole team is happy today, Rangnick was pleased too, so it was great to see him."

Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel pressed whether Rangnick invited Carrick to the office the next day, hinting at a formal head coach offer. Carrick laughed it off: "Not yet, Peter!"

A Manchester United player told British media that before the match, Carrick instructed the team to try to make Arsenal lose their composure. They succeeded, as boos echoed through the Emirates at halftime and full time. United players had faced similar treatment after losing at home to Brighton in the FA Cup.

Under Carrick’s leadership, the atmosphere around Manchester United dramatically reversed within just two weeks. On the return bus, Amad Diallo mocked an Arsenal fan on social media: "Your only hope is set pieces!"

Arsenal did equalize through a set piece at one point, but Diogo Dalot taunted Arteta’s tactics as being like seven dogs fighting over one bone.

Manchester United fans sang loudly at Arsenal’s home: "We want to win the league title." If United hadn’t dropped points disappointingly against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Burnley, and lost 0-1 to a ten-man Everton, they would have 15 more points and currently top the league standings.

However, Carrick remains very modest and cautious, unwilling even to say directly that United, currently fourth, must target Champions League qualification. This mirrors his personality as a player, when he won five Premier League titles and one Champions League but never acted like a club legend.

Those who see Carrick daily often describe his work style as "calm." After matches, he is understated, congratulating the coaching staff first, then shaking hands with Arteta. He also comforted opposing coaches Albert Stuivenberg and Heintz, both former Manchester United players.

Heintz was Carrick’s teammate in his first season at United, witnessing the end of a four-year Premier League title drought in 2006/07, while Stuivenberg was part of Van Gaal’s first-team coaching staff. Van Gaal once wanted Carrick to retire, but after the Dutchman was sacked, Mourinho took over and persuaded then-executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to renew Carrick’s contract for a year. That pivotal moment steered Carrick toward coaching and eventually managing Manchester United.

Whether competing with Solskjær for the interim manager role or directing the team against Manchester City and Arsenal, Carrick maintains a low-key and composed demeanor. Like when he played, he dislikes being seen as a savior and understands the coaching staff and players must each fulfill their roles.

Training intensity at Manchester United has increased but sessions are shorter. Carrick has also adjusted some match preparation details, such as arriving at Old Trafford slightly later before games. Players in the dressing room are impressed by the level of detail in Carrick’s training sessions, and since his first meeting with the squad on January 14, the team has shown a new vitality.

The coaching staff at Manchester United is now more collaborative. Last year, Amorin brought a team but some lacked coaching licenses, and on match days only he and assistant coach Carlos Fernandez took charge.

Carrick, along with assistants Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, and Jonny Evans, have distinct responsibilities. During the Arsenal match, they were seen discussing on the sidelines multiple times. Holland covered his mouth when the camera approached, Woodgate wore headphones communicating with analysts in the stands, and the former England international center-back worked with Evans to coach the defense.

It is said that the two have been providing one-on-one guidance at Carrington to 19-year-old center-back Ethen Haven, part of Carrick’s targeted individual training to refine players’ technical details. Carrick pays close attention to United’s youth system, unsurprisingly, as his son Jesse is part of it and is expected to compete in the Youth FA Cup next season.

Carrick spent 12 years as a Manchester United player, then served as assistant and interim head coach for two and a half years, earning high status and authority at the club. Sources say he immediately reminded the whole team upon taking charge that representing Manchester United is an honor and emphasized they should enjoy that feeling.

Although Casemiro is confirmed to leave after his contract expires, he shares a similar temperament with Carrick. If Casemiro notices anything unsatisfactory, he calmly communicates it to the coaching staff.