MICHAEL CARRICK has urged Manchester United’s players to transfer their ego to the team next season to fuel their chances of a title challenge.
United are finalising a deal to keep Carrick as head coach beyond this term, and they host in their final home game of the season on Sunday.
Michael Carrick wants players to rethink their mindsets ahead of next season Credit: PA
The Wallsend-born boss was made interim manager after Ruben Amorim was fired Credit: PA
sacked on January 13 – the day that United appointed Carrick for the remainder of the campaign.
Alonso’s replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, has endured a turbulent four months, suffering a Copa del Rey defeat to second-tier Albacete and elimination from the Champions League by Bayern Munich at the quarter-finals.
Madrid’s season was compounded last week by a 2-0 Clasico defeat at Barcelona, who were crowned champions.
Alonso reportedly complained that coaching Madrid’s players was like managing a nursery, and there was an altercation between midfielders and last week.
was jeered by Madrid fans during their 2-0 defeat of Real Oviedo on Thursday night and is set to return to the Bernabeu.
Carrick has managed a happy dressing room at United, where the only murmur of discontent came from back-up left- back when he was denied a transfer deadline day move to Turkey in February.
and have signed new contracts on Carrick’s watch while plans for the summer window are well underway.
Carrick spent 12 years at United as a player and highlighted how teammates channelled their ego into the team’s performances under Sir .
United have two games remaining of the 2025/26 campaign against Forest and Brighton Credit: Getty
“The ego is a funny one, actually,” Carrick said. “Because I think to perform at the top, top level, you’ve got to have some sort of ego.
“You need that and it could be used in all sorts of different ways. I think it’s how you use it is the key thing.
“And I think the part of me, of learning and being here and seeing others – better players than me – dealing with that and sacrificing themselves for the team.
“I think putting the ego from yourself into the team is important and you’ve got to have something to fight for and be attached to really.
“It doesn’t have to be an ego where it’s an individual thing or it’s a negative in any way.
“I think it’s essentially pride in yourself and what you’re kind of working towards.
“And I think all our egos, which we’ve got in different ways, it’s clear to see spirit and the connection and the camaraderie that everyone’s pulling in one direction.
“To put their ego into the football club can be quite powerful and we’ve got to use that.”
will bid farewell to Old Trafford against Forest and Malacia could also be afforded a send-off.
The Dutch left- back has made two substitute appearances all season and will be released when his contract expires at the end of next month.
Goalkeeper , 40, is also approaching the final month of his contract but could stay on next season.
United only need a point to be mathematically certain of finishing third in the Premier League.
Carrick added: “It always gets to this stage of the season where there’s a few uncertainties.
“I think whatever this situation, however you finish the season or whatever.
“I think there’s always a case of contracts or individual kind of agendas, if you like, or roles.
“But all I can say is we want to finish the season strong. We’ve put ourselves in a good position. We’ve achieved something to a point.
“Home and away it doesn’t matter, we feel that responsibility and pride and in ourselves and for the football club that we want to finish strong.
“So we’ll put a team out to do that.”
United Under 21s played Brighton on Saturday night in the Premier League 2 final, but some youngsters could be involved against the same opposition on the final day next week.
Shea Lacey and Jim Thwaites are among the academy graduates bidding to make their full debut for the first team.
Carrick admitted: “100%, it’s something we would love to happen.
“They’re heavily involved in and around the group, they have been all the time anyway.
“The week after leading to the Brighton game, we’ll reassess as well, but it’s important we finish strong as well. So, we’ve got responsibilities to do that as well.
“So, we’ve got to get the balance right, but a massive part of me and for this football club is to try and bring the younger players on and give them opportunities to see what they can do, for sure.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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