One on One | Carrick on his start as interim Man United boss!

0:04Hello and welcome back to one on one from Sky Sports, the podcast where we chat to some of football's biggest names. I'm Joe Thomlinson and regular listeners will know that on the last episode, I was really damn excited to chat to the gaffer, Manchester United's new head coach, Michael Carrick. Well, I've quite literally just got back from Carrington and he was on brilliant form, so I couldn't wait to share my interview with you. And no wonder he's in a good mood. He's making it look pretty damn easy right now, as he followed up the derby win against Man City by beating Arsenal in impressive fashion at the Emirates.

0:46Now, Fulham lying wait on Sunday, so we chatted about that. We talked about Bruno Fernandes, who celebrates six years at Old Trafford this week. And we discussed what he's like in the dressing room. His communication style, Kobbe Meynu, Dorgu's injury, Brian and Bermot, and loads more. Now, this was my first time chatting to Michael, and what a calm, measured voice he is. I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed recording it. This is my Michael Carrick one-on-one.

1:17Michael, thank you so much for joining me today. Nearly a week on from the Arsenal game now, and the scenes at full-time were pretty awesome. from your perspective sweeter as a manager or sweeter as a player because you've done both for Manchester United now it's just different it's just different I think certainly not a feeling you ever get sick of or you've ever had enough of you know I think all that kind of everything you put into a game whether you're a player or a coach or manager whatever it is I think and as a supporter all the energy and the the excitement the passion and everything and the will to win goes into the game.

1:56When you come out the other side in such an important one, late winners have always created the biggest emotion, really. To get it in such a game was a great feeling. You keep a lid on it to a point and it can last for so long, but certainly in the moment and the supporters, the way they've supported us, it was nice to have that few minutes with them. That away end, your son was there, wasn't he? I saw the same. And my daughter. dad isn't there your daughter was in there that's been bouncing from their perspective yeah for me that's the one of the biggest feelings of helping play a part in everyone getting that emotion you know that supporters come pay a lot of money travel and supporters everywhere that's what they want so to be able to give them that that's probably the biggest thing that's came back to me even during the week when you see people and you know for that emotion that excitement listen it's not going to be like that every week and we understand that but it's kind of our duty to try and produce that and the boys were incredible and fully deserve all the credit they get.

3:00Yeah, well now we look at your first sort of five games in charge of this club. Some of the managers you've come up against, you know, Emery twice, Tupul, Guardiola. I mean, what is the secret here? Because other managers must be watching at home going, God, some of the scalps. Yeah, good players I think. It is, it is, well it's funny how things work out, you know and certainly not getting too carried away with all that I think we've I just take it really is where we are now in in this last two weeks in the two games and trying to build on trying to start obviously give us a start something to build on and a foundation and what what games are coming up are more important to me than what's gone and we're in a good place the boys are the boys are there you know they're really desperate to do well they're a really really tight group if anything at the moment you're holding them back a little bit and and they're so desperate for the next game so it's a great place to be at the moment we've just got to keep that feeling and bottle it as best as we can going into the next game Next game then we should talk about Fulham, just sat in your press conference there there was lots of questions about how you might play in your build up to these kind of games obviously it's not a Man City or an Arsenal in terms of club stature but do you take Fulham at the exact same level as you would?

4:13100 % yeah and I think anything else is first of all out of respect anyway but in terms of us for going into the game it's criminal for us to think anything else and then when you watch anyway you see the level that they're playing at they're a very very good team in so many ways and coach so well and so we totally understand that the boys understand that and are fully prepared for that and it's not about who we play against so much it's about how can we be at our best with the emotion with the the level of concentration, obviously tactical awareness, all the different levels, everything you've got to bring to get the feelings that we've had, you've got to keep bringing that week in, week out.

5:00And in the end, consistency is what tells the story of your level of success. So that's our biggest challenge of us being at that level often enough to give ourselves a chance of winning. I think it's quite interesting in a game like Fulham because I've sat in the press conference just there and I've been watching lots of media this week and people talking about Man Utd dominating the ball and not playing on the counter like they have in the past. Do you see that the same way or do you see, you know, each game is separate? Like Fulham might have a bit of the ball and we might have to come out against them.

5:28I'm sure Fulham will, I think. Yeah. It's the way they play and again, is accept and understand what the game is going to be, respect and have fully respect for that. I'm certainly not going into the game thinking all of a sudden we've done that and this game is going to be different and we'll go and enjoy it and let's play with the ball and score loads of goals and that's just totally couldn't be any further away from it we're the total opposite if anything and the things that have enabled us to get the results is working together defending well as a team we've got good players and we can play good football at times and we did second half against Arsenal we came out we controlled it we end up scoring so we've got to get the balance and again I can't say it's strong enough it doesn't matter who we're playing it's about what we do and we've got to keep repeating them and if not improving on the levels of performance every week I was listening to a Rio's podcast this week and he was talking about sitting next to you in the dressing room and your sort of communication style being a leader on the pitch what's your communication style in the dressing room like as a coach now?

6:26I just think it's whatever the boys need really however that is is it firing them up is it calming them down is it giving them information is it it's got to evolve it's got to change and sometimes you get a feeling for that you know kind of understanding what they're going through and mentally and coping with the situation so it changes a lot I think the boys are feeling that I'm with them the coaches are with them we're all in together there's that unity I feel that really strongly already that's important to me I think and then yeah it's just feeling the moment you know the boys to be honest have been in such a good place that you're just tweaking things here and there they're so desperate to do well which all you can ask is to give the best you know and they're there they're really invested in it and they're keen and they're hungry and hence the results and the performances as we've got.

7:15It's what we've got to keep moving forward. This feels like there's some real leaders in that dressing room as well now. We're actually sitting here today on the six-year anniversary of Bruno signing, so we should touch upon him and his impact on this club as a whole. Where does he sort of rank for you amongst some of his best midfielders? Because his output is just unbelievable. Yeah, and I'm not going to get involved in terms of where he's, you know, to others. But I think he's such an important part of this team and he has been for six years now. And I was here when he came to the club and seeing the impact he had, his attitude, his mentality, his willingness to kind of sacrifice and put himself out there every single time.

7:55The amount of games he's played, training, he doesn't miss an awful lot. That's what it's worth. But yeah, he's proved that for so long and then his qualities, his moments, you know, he's a fantastic footballer. We're looking forward to building on what we just kind of started with the team and he's a big part of that. Yeah absolutely and we should talk about some of the other players in that that have been such big parts of that team anyway Brian and Boomer for instance the start he's made to life under yourself playing a little bit more of a central role do you think that's his best role potentially inside playing a little bit more centrally because he's a deadly finisher I just think he's flexible Brian you know he can play different roles across the foot to be honest like pretty much all the boys across the front within reason can play different kind of roles and be fluid and be flexible I think it's important to enable you to kind of be dangerous and try and create different movements.

8:48But yeah, scoring, I think for Brian scoring, he's played a big role in terms of his discipline and his responsibility for the team with and without the ball and he's got his reward. So yeah, he's doing great. Yeah, I think that is a big part of what we've seen so far anyway, isn't it? Specifically from the wide players, that sort of discipline, being defensively sound as a unit. Without Patrick Dorgou, obviously we had the news this week that he's picked up a little bit of injury. How do you go into this game adapting? because it might be a slightly different style of player that isn't so defensively.

9:15Yeah, I just think that's the beauty of the squad and individuals. It's a blow to lose part. I think even just to be in and out wherever he played, wherever he didn't, you know, you never want to lose plays, but he was in such a good place. The other side of that is, you know, we can change things around a little bit. Someone else will come in and that's part of it. So we're looking forward to how we can adapt to that, really. And that's part of the challenges as you go through a season. and you're never going to keep the same team through the season. We've had two really good games and I understand why Levine made his big games and we've had two big performances, but it never carries on all the way through.

9:52You've always got to find little tweaks here and there and this week we'll try and do that. Obviously, we've seen you at some of the under-21 games and the 18s as well recently. Are there players in that academy that you think are ready to step up and support when injuries like this happen? Because it's been such a vital component for United throughout history. Yeah, I mean, that's all the work, an effort that the academy staff put in to get the boys through the system ultimately is to try and get them near the first team in the end. We're fully aware of that. I think it's a huge part of this club.

10:24It's not something I do because I feel I have to do it. I think it's just something that I really enjoy as well, going to see the games and feeling the connection and wanting to see who's doing well and have eyes on the younger players. I think it's really important we do that. and for them to understand there's opportunities there and sometimes you're closer than you realise and it doesn't take too much and we try and get the younger players up and around us as much as possible training and feeling what it's like learning off the more senior players and at some point yeah you want them everyone can't unfortunately make the last step but you want boys to make the last step and to be ready for it We should talk about Cobby Maynard while we're on the topic of academy players because he has broken into that team and he's such a brilliant footballer we've seen him deployed a little bit deeper at the moment, but lots of Man United fans talking about where he could play, where his future lies.

11:13As a midfielder yourself, what do you see as the strongest elements of his game and where his future lies? I like the way Kobe takes the ball after. I think there's a big part of being a footballer and being a top player is being able to cope with the environment. He come in at such a young age and plays some big games in the Euros, for England for you know finals for Manchester United and playing a big part in those games so just being able to cope first off is a huge thing and he's proved he can cope you know he takes the ball he drifts he can play he can play a little bit deeper at times he can play a little bit higher up depending on who he's playing with and I think sometimes we can pigeonhole players in certain things quite quickly and it's not always the case and sometimes you say things and you see things in a player and you tweak it a little bit.

12:02A bit like Patrick playing a little bit higher and playing as a high winger and all of a sudden things open up. That's fine. You see things and you go with it. Kobe can play different roles within that, but definitely with Cassie in the middle of the last couple of games, they've had a really good pairing and been a big part of controlling as the team. He's so young, Kobe, and he's had some real highs. He's had some disappointments. That's natural. I was similar myself. When you're young, when you're coming through, it's no different. you know and it makes him better it makes him stronger it makes him more experienced and he's showing at the moment you know and he's a joy to watch Do you think that's one of the benefits of having somebody like Steve Holland who's worked with him before in that England camp knows kind of Cobby's style and how to work with him has that made the transition for you a little bit easier?

12:49I was with Cobby when he was 13 14 in the academy coaching him when I started coaching so so I've had that as a small part but I've had that relationship obviously Steve knows him particularly well as well and I just thought that's part of the staff and the make-up really is for that not just for Kobe but for everyone and sharing the load and trying to improve all the players and you know Kobe's in a good place at the moment and we've got to keep pushing him and supporting him and keep improving Final question then Michael obviously we were talking about the supporters earlier and our way in bouncing and buzzing what are you hoping from Old Trafford this weekend against Fulham do you have a little message for the supporters?

13:28Yeah I don't think they need a message from me I think it's pretty obvious you know it's a special place and the boys are looking forward to playing at home again and I think the feeling of the last couple of weeks is great but definitely understanding what this game is going to bring and doing the right things we're going to need them the support might be tougher points in the game where we need them and to feel that we certainly felt that over the last two games especially away Arsenal and the away fans were but we're unreal. So it's really difficult to describe how important it is for the boys to feel it.

14:05And then we've got to give them something back and that connection is massive. We need to create that atmosphere. We need to build it. And there's no place like it when it shows all that coming together. Michael, love that. Thank you. Cheers. So there we have it. United fans, Michael Carrick needs that atmosphere. And I have to say, I spoke to Ruben Arum a few times last season and Michael's voice feels like a very fresh voice. Now, that's not to say Ruben's way wasn't the right way of doing things, but you can already tell Michael's is very, very different. Personally, I love his measured, calm attitude.

14:40And I think you can tell he's been used to working in a club like Manchester United before, simply by how unfazed he seems by the noise and pressure. But anyway, let's see how he and his side get on against Fulham, a must-win game that you can watch live on Sky Sports this Super Sunday.

14:59So there we have it. Thanks very much for listening to this one-on-one. We'll be back with another podcast very soon. If you don't already, give this show a follow so you never miss out. Look out for our interviews on Sky Sports News and our YouTube channels. I'll chat to you pretty soon. See you later, everyone.

15:18We're into the second half of the season and everything's to play for across the Football League. I'm Simeon Golem the host of the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast each week I chat with top pundits about the latest games and biggest talking points from the Championship League 1 and League 2 so with promotion and playoff spots to be won and relegation to be avoided join us on Essential EFL wherever you get your podcasts