Michael Carrick leads Manchester United for the second and probably last time against Chelsea this weekend.
Carrick managed to lead Manchester United back on the winning track when Villarreal were beaten 2-0 in the Champions League in midweek.
Since then, it is clear that Ralf Rangnick, after all the sun marks, will take over the managerial responsibility for the rest of the season – after this weekend’s meeting with Chelsea.
Tributes to the environment Solskjær created
At the press conference before this weekend’s big match, Michael Carrick says that Ole Gunnar Solskjær left a good starting point both for him and for the next manager.
– One of the biggest things during Ole’s time here is the environment he created in the support apparatus and the culture in the player group. It’s something people outside do not see from day to day, and it is not so easy to notice, but we have made progress and finished last season well, says Carrick.
He believes that the recent weak results, which peaked with a 1-4 loss to Watford last weekend, characterize Solskjær’s preliminary legacy to a great extent.
– As soon as the results started to go the wrong way, it quickly became very overwhelming. It’s a shame, but the culture is still there. This week I have benefited greatly from the support system that Ole had a large part of the credit for building. It has helped me a lot this week. Whatever happens next, it is a good starting point that lies there, says Carrick.
Focuses only on Chelsea
Speculation about the next manager and the way forward for Manchester United, the former midfielder will talk as little as possible about.
– I can not sit here and talk about things too far in the future. My focus is to prepare the team as best I can for the Chelsea match. It is a big responsibility I have at the moment, and I have focused my entire focus on it. Everything after Sunday is not in my thoughts, says Carrick.
The 40-year-old also gave a brief update on the injury situation after the meeting with Villarreal.
– Luke (Shaw) got a blow to the head a few weeks ago and got another blow to the head against Watford. We have to decide when it comes to him. Fred twisted his ankle, and we have to see how it develops before Sunday, says Carrick.
Chelsea and Manchester United end the Premier League round at 17.30 on Sunday.
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