Michael Carrick has underlined that everyone at Manchester United has a responsibility to understand the tragedy of the Munich Air Disaster, and its significance in the story of our great football club.
Carrick was speaking at his pre-match press conference to preview Saturday's game against Tottenham Hotspur, conducted on Thursday this week rather than the media briefing's usual Friday slot.
This was to avoid a clash with the disaster's 68th anniversary this Friday, which will be commemorated at Old Trafford with the annual service, which fans are invited to attend from around 14:45 GMT.
Michael was asked about Munich with the final question of the press conference's first section, which you can read and watch in full below...
Looking ahead to Tottenham, you actually sat down with Thomas Frank in September and had a long chat with him ahead of their first Champions League game, I just wonder how you reflect on that chat? I suppose it shows how life can change in a short space of time, you're now a manager against them this weekend...
It's just over 19-and-a-half years since you signed for Manchester United from Tottenham, I know you played against them many times. You talk about your love for the club and how you fell in love with Manchester United, can you pinpoint when that was, after you made the move to Manchester?
“It was pretty instant. I've got really fond memories of Tottenham and being at the club, I was there for a short time. Only a short time when you look back, but I really enjoyed it. [We had a] good team, Martin Jol was the manager and there was a lot of things I learned at the club in that short period of time, but I've said it enough times, coming here was a jump and a big jump at the time. I certainly felt that pretty quickly and once you step inside this place as a footballer, it turns you. I felt so pretty much from the first day, walking into the dressing room and meeting the manager, from then on that was me.”
“Yeah, it certainly can change. I really enjoyed it, actually. We got on really well, first time I've met him properly, we had a good chat just about general kind of football things. A little bit on processes and on ideas a little bit. He was really accommodating, actually. I enjoyed it, so it will be good to see him again.”
It's just over 19-and-a-half years since you signed for Manchester United from Tottenham, I know you played against them many times. You talk about your love for the club and how you fell in love with Manchester United, can you pinpoint when that was, after you made the move to Manchester?
“It was pretty instant. I've got really fond memories of Tottenham and being at the club, I was there for a short time. Only a short time when you look back, but I really enjoyed it. [We had a] good team, Martin Jol was the manager and there was a lot of things I learned at the club in that short period of time, but I've said it enough times, coming here was a jump and a big jump at the time. I certainly felt that pretty quickly and once you step inside this place as a footballer, it turns you. I felt so pretty much from the first day, walking into the dressing room and meeting the manager, from then on that was me.”
Having sat down with Thomas that short time ago, what sort of challenge do Tottenham bring on Saturday?
For yourself, it's a great start, but has it even surprised you, how well it has gone to this point?
“To be honest, coming in at the very start and then getting the game so quickly, it was step by step so I wasn't looking too far ahead. People saying at the time the first two games at that point were standout games, expecting a tough start, and in some ways that maybe helped to get the whole group focused and alive if you like, going into both games. I didn't really look too far ahead, I couldn't allow myself to do that. But certainly over time, we got an idea of what we want it to look like coming through the door and certainly since we've been here, that comes a lot clearer, what direction we want to go in and how we want to play. Certainly the three wins have been fantastic in different ways, so we feel confident we've got a lot of growth in the team and the squad, but it's coming from a good place.”
Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount weren't pictured in training the other day. When are you expecting those two to be back available for you?
“Probably Mason sooner, he's not too far away really. So, we're hopeful it won't be too long at all for Mase. Matta, he's working his way back, taking good steps and improving. It's been really positive. It's a little bit too soon at the moment but hopefully it won't be too long as well.”
“They certainly bring a challenge. I think you can see especially the way they finished the game the other day [against Manchester City]. They have had players injured and ins and outs, and a lot of changes to the team which makes things a lot more challenging, a lot more difficult from their perspective. But they're getting players back. They've got really good attackers who look to stretch the backline and play forward and attack the box an awful lot. It's something we've got be aware of. A slightly different game to maybe what we have played over recent weeks in some ways, but we're looking forward to it. We're in a good place, the boys have worked well again this week. Again, feet on the ground, let's not get carried away with what has gone on. It's about what's next. A big challenge ahead but we're looking forward to it.”
For yourself, it's a great start, but has it even surprised you, how well it has gone to this point?
“To be honest, coming in at the very start and then getting the game so quickly, it was step by step so I wasn't looking too far ahead. People saying at the time the first two games at that point were standout games, expecting a tough start, and in some ways that maybe helped to get the whole group focused and alive if you like, going into both games. I didn't really look too far ahead, I couldn't allow myself to do that. But certainly over time, we got an idea of what we want it to look like coming through the door and certainly since we've been here, that comes a lot clearer, what direction we want to go in and how we want to play. Certainly the three wins have been fantastic in different ways, so we feel confident we've got a lot of growth in the team and the squad, but it's coming from a good place.”
Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount weren't pictured in training the other day. When are you expecting those two to be back available for you?
“Probably Mason sooner, he's not too far away really. So, we're hopeful it won't be too long at all for Mase. Matta, he's working his way back, taking good steps and improving. It's been really positive. It's a little bit too soon at the moment but hopefully it won't be too long as well.”
There's some gaps coming up in the schedule, there was talk earlier in the campaign about mid-season friendlies. I think your predecessor Ruben Amorim said you would have to do it if you keep missing out on European football for revenues and things like that. Is that something you're aware is going to be happening, plans to go anywhere?
In terms of the future of the football club and looking beyond the next game, when it comes to shaping the squad for next season, does the fact that there is uncertainty over the manager's position... is that going to be a hinderance? You've been a player and know what it is like, the players want certainty about what is going to happen...
“The players have been spot on and fully focused, to be honest. We are aware of the bigger situation of what ifs and what might happen. But, as a player, you're focused on what's ahead of you and trying to achieve what you can at this moment in time, for the rest of the season. I've got no issues, no concerns. The lads have been better than you could imagine in terms of [being] fully invested in it, and I've said that over the last couple of weeks anyway. So, we're just focusing on being better and improving and getting ourselves and this club to where we want to be. It's small steps, but it's obviously a big end to the season we're looking towards.”
“At this stage, nothing is confirmed. We're aware of the schedule and there are some spaces if you like, that we can use in different ways. It's all up for discussion at the moment but nothing's been decided, it might happen, it might not. We'll just have to wait and see.”
In terms of the future of the football club and looking beyond the next game, when it comes to shaping the squad for next season, does the fact that there is uncertainty over the manager's position... is that going to be a hinderance? You've been a player and know what it is like, the players want certainty about what is going to happen...
“The players have been spot on and fully focused, to be honest. We are aware of the bigger situation of what ifs and what might happen. But, as a player, you're focused on what's ahead of you and trying to achieve what you can at this moment in time, for the rest of the season. I've got no issues, no concerns. The lads have been better than you could imagine in terms of [being] fully invested in it, and I've said that over the last couple of weeks anyway. So, we're just focusing on being better and improving and getting ourselves and this club to where we want to be. It's small steps, but it's obviously a big end to the season we're looking towards.”
Just finally, you're doing this today because tomorrow is the commemoration of Munich. Can you just explain as someone who has been in the club and knows about the club what that remembrance means to you?
“It means a great deal, I have to say. We were just saying about how long did it take to love this place and love being in this place, and it was quick. As soon as you come, you are made aware. You can't help but know and understand the history, and I think it's a responsibility that when you work here, you play, you coach here, that you understand what has come before us, and behaviours and responsibilities that we need to carry through. Munich is probably the biggest part of the history of this club in terms of the tragedy itself, how the team and the football club bounced back from it and went on to success... and everything from there was carried on. Sir Alex when I came would mention it, it was important to him, it was important to us [the playing squad at the time] and then it becomes a way of life and a way of the club. I think it's important that we carry that on. I was here for the 50th [anniversary], I was here for the 60th, we'll see about the 70th, we're not sure yet. But being aware of it and being around it, especially in those moments, you really feel that emotion to be honest with you. On Saturday, inside the stadium, we'll feel it as well.”