Carrick’s competitive United debut
23 August 2006, Charlton 0-3 Manchester United The 25‑year‑old new signing was eased into United’s midfield as a second-half substitute in the second game of the season, having picked up a small injury on the pre‑season tour. With Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes suspended, Sir Alex Ferguson started with John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher in central midfield, with the Scot (sporting a mullet) opening the scoring after Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo had hit the woodwork. Carrick was one of four future United managers in the side, alongside Fletcher, Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who rounded off the win with a late goal after Louis Saha had doubled United’s lead. Solskjær’s goal was his first in the league in three injury-hit years, and the Norwegian, also a substitute, should have had another when Carrick squared a perfect pass to the striker, only for Charlton’s Scott Carson to make an outstanding save. With Carrick an instant success at United that season, the club roared to the title in May 2007, their first in four years.
Manchester United (4-4-2) Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Evra; Ronaldo, O’Shea, Fletcher, Park (Carrick 77); Giggs (Solskjær 82), Saha. Subs not used Kuszczak, Rossi, Richardson.
Carrick’s final game for United
13 May 2018, Manchester United 1-0 Watford Carrick played only five times in his 12th and final season but signed off in style on his 464th appearance by creating the winner, scored by Marcus Rashford, in a 1-0 win against Watford. Carrick, captain for the day, was given a guard of honour by both teams before the match and a standing ovation when substituted in the 80th minute for Paul Pogba – no United player made more passes or had more touches against Watford than the retiring veteran. The game was also poignant for being the first at Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson’s brain haemorrhage, with fans chanting the legendary manager’s name throughout. United lost the FA Cup final against Chelsea the following week and finished second behind City, which the manager, José Mourinho, later claimed was one of his finest achievements. Carrick immediately joined the Portuguese’s staff as a coach. “It is an unbelievable opportunity for me,” Carrick said. “I look forward to learning off him; he is one of the very best. We will have some success in the near future, I am certain of that.”
Manchester United (4-3-1-2) Romero; Darmian, Bailly, Rojo, Young (Shaw 60); McTominay, Carrick (Pogba 84), Blind (Herrera 76); Mata; Rashford, Sánchez. Subs not used J Pereira, Jones, Valencia, Lingard.
Carrick’s first game as United’s interim manager
23 November 2021, Villarreal 0-2 Manchester United Carrick had been appointed as interim manager in December 2018, assuming control of training for two days after the sacking of Mourinho. But he had to wait another three years before taking charge of his first game, after the exit of Solskjær. Three days after a 4-1 drubbing at Watford – Solskjær’s final game – Carrick made four changes to the lineup at Villarreal in the Champions League group stage. United had less possession than their opponents and fewer attempts on goal but Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo scored late to secure qualification to the last 16, with Carrick’s substitutions proving pivotal: the introduction of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford turned the game in United’s favour. Carrick became the first English manager to win his first game in charge of United (excluding second spells) since Walter Crickmer in 1931 and devoted the victory to Solskjær. “It’s not been an easy couple of days for anyone at the club and that result almost feels like it’s for Ole,” he said. Ernesto Valverde, Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino and Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers were linked with the permanent job but Carrick managed three games (winning two) before Ralf Rangnick was appointed in late November.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1) De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindeløf, Maguire, Telles; Fred, McTominay; Sancho (Mata 93), Van de Beek (Fernandes 66), Martial (Rashford 66); Ronaldo (Matic 91). Subs not used Heaton, Henderson, Bailly, Dalot, Lingard, Diallo.
