Every word of Carrick's podcast interview

Our former midfielder expressed his enthusiasm for the role and had plenty of detail about what lies in store, with Manchester City up next, in the derby, on Saturday.

Check out a full transcript of what the boss had to say...

What has today looked like for you, then, your first day?

"It's been really good actually. It's been really, really efficient, if anything, you know. Coming into the building, driving in, driving myself, first thing this morning, was a nice feeling. I've done the drive many times before but that, in itself, coming in to work, was like giving me butterflies in a good way and a good feeling, as I said, coming into the building. And feeling that calmness and the composure, it felt quite normal for me. And that's not playing it down or being blase. I just felt like I was in such a really good place, with good people, who were all pulling in the same direction. And the backroom staff here are fantastic. I've met pretty much all of them and gone through it, the plans and what's gone before. What's to come, in so much as what it feels or might look like. There's all sorts going on but it's actually been really quite a calm day. Quite a clear day in terms of focus, really, what we want out of the next few days, what we want it to look like. What we want the end of the season to look like. How we want to move forward, as a club. It's been a really, really good day. I've loved it and it just give me a lot of positivity."

We hear the phrase very often but what does it take to be a Manchester United player?

"It takes a lot of hard work, it takes a lot of humility and hard work. I'll keep saying it a lot - it takes a lot of hard work, and [being] grounded and understanding that talent is one thing and ability is one thing, and the privileges of you playing is one thing but it's actually coming back down the basics and fundamentals of treating people right, respect people, look out for each other and fight for each other. The rest of it comes on top, whether that's tactics, whether that's techniques, whether that's goal celebrations, whatever that is, it needs to be underpinned by a foundation that we're all in it together and we're fighting for everything we can get. It takes a lot of hard work. There is no easy way around it and there shouldn't be, you know. You get to the top because you deserve to and you can't do it softly, should I say. That is the buzz of it, that's the part where you've got to feed off it, you've got to feed off that energy and you've got to keep driving forward."

We're sat in the canteen, overlooking the pitches and the sun is setting, so it's a perfect setting. It has changed a lot, since you were last here, if we go back and reflect on that time, there are still maybe six players and I'm sure a lot of staff players who are still the same from your time here. But, in terms of your journey away from the club in that time, what do you think you have learned?

"Yeah, Helen, I've learnt loads, you know. Kind of taking a step away from what I knew for so long to kind of go out and, first of all, living on my own in the North East, moving down to Middlesbrough and away from my family and taking that step to go and learn and experience what it is like out there. I learned an awful lot. I think, obviously, you make mistakes, you have some good things and I know my strengths, but there are things I look back and think I could've done a little bit better on certain things. That's life and that's part of learning and becoming better all the time. It's the same as a player, it never changes. So it's just experience, you know, experience and having a bit of time out as well, to take a deep breath and just let things sink in a little bit. I feel in a really good place to be here. It feels very natural, to be honest, very normal. I understand the job, what it entails and the responsibility of it. I do feel I've learned an awful lot and thanks to Middlesbrough, for allowing me to do that when I went there and I had some really good times there. Now I feel in a strong place to move forward and, hopefully, be successful here."

You had three games in caretaker charge here previously, you've played here, so how much insight does that give you into how the job works here? Obviously, people say the shirt can weigh heavy but you wore it with aplomb when you took charge of those three games, so does that help?

"Yeah, I think that helps. Obviously, I was drawing on my experiences already but, even at the time, I really enjoyed it and it felt really natural. You never really know until you are put in a position, how you are going to feel or how you are going to react. Sometimes, you can't control your reactions but I was pretty calm and, again I repeat it, it was good to feel that responsibility but I love it. It's a big, old football club, an unbelievable football club. My favourite one in the world. It has quite extremes at times - the highs are high and the disappointments can be low, and that's what shows and why it's worth the success and the effort to try to get there because, when you get there, it means something. I'm fully aware of that. So, I'm massively driven to feel that and to help other people feel that."

Obviously, you've got your coaching team around you, you've got a real mix of vast experience in there and people who know the team and Travis [Binnion], who knows the youth team. How important was it, for you, to get that balance?

"Yeah, [getting the coaching balance right] was probably the most important thing, To be honest, I know a lot about the club. It has changed a little bit since I left, but I think in some ways that's a good thing, you know, the freshness. I think that was important with the staff and to be strong and to be able to do different things and pull on different characters, different dynamics within that - different experiences, as well. And I'm really delighted. Steve [Holland]'s got an unbelievable wealth of experience, massive experiences at Chelsea, in terms of going through similar situations to this - change of manager and coach - and dealing with that and keeping and staying successful. Jonathan [Woodgate], I've known and he's loyal. He's very knowledgeable. He's the perfect balance to me personally, I think that's important, you know, I don't want all the same. He challenges me, pushes me, and he has done for the last three years - and he'll keep doing that. Trav, I think this club's about young players, you know, and producing young players and having the line with the Academy and a pathway and understanding what it means and helping the young players, developing the young players, working with the young players and pushing the young players when they need a push. He's going to have a massive part of that. And Jonny [Evans], obviously he's someone who's close to me and everything he stands for, I respect and I appreciate. He's got unbelievable knowledge. He's come through the whole thing. He's in this football club and he gets it. He understands the day to day, and he’s got a massive amount of experience to then pass on to the players as well. So I think there's a real balance of personalities, of characters, of knowledge and experience. And I'm really, really happy with what we're going into because it's a big job, a big role. There’s a lot of work to do, and we feel that we can do it."

The team is in place, you're in place, so how would you describe the vision, the philosophy, the type of football you're going to play?

"We want to win games. It goes without saying, we want to win games. There’s different ways of doing it, of course, different scenarios, different situations in games that [mean] you might have to play a certain way. But I think for me it's [about] working with the players. I love working with the players and helping them get better individually, which, hopefully, will help the team improve and [I want to] be there to support them. I'm one of them, we're all in it together, and I think it's important that we all look after each other. But I know it comes down to results. Hopefully, we can play a really exciting type of football and be positive and express and bring excitement. I want to be off my seat. I want to be enjoying watching the boys play, and results obviously need to come with that. You can feel my kind of enthusiasm for it, because I'm buzzing to get started and see what we can do."

Obviously, today was a bit of a quieter day at Carrington, as the players haven't been in, so I suppose you've had that time to go around, see all the staff, get to know your coaching team and get them together a little bit more. But how much are you looking forward to getting out on the grass?

"Nothing beats that. That feeling of when the real work starts. I mean this is lovely, you know, the questions have been really nice so it's fine! But getting on the grass, with the boys, is where I want to be, you know, and working with them. So, I think it's that step, while today's been good to settle in and get to know kind of what the week is going to be like and planning ahead for the game. Obviously, it's an important game, that goes without saying, and being a step ahead of that gives us a good chance. So, we're in a good place, you know, and seeing the boys tomorrow and them meeting some of the staff for the first time, as well as myself, yeah, it feels good."

What a game to start in, by the way. Just a nice easy one... 

"Yeah but, you know, coming into this club from the very start, the big games, the important games, are what we all live for, you know. It's what we live for - some are more challenging than others but it's why we are here. So we'll go for it head on." 

When you look at this squad, and you're not looking at it for the very first time, as you've followed this club for a very long period of time, what is it about the squad that excites you most, do you think?

"I think there is a lot of talent in there. I think there's a lot of ability and there are a good number of younger players as well, finding their way and what it feels like to actually play here. It's an important thing and difficult to put a gauge on and explain how it is but I think certainly there's the feeling that it's an unbelievable place to play football. But it can sometimes take a little bit of adjusting and getting used to and that's fine. It was the same for all of us, even when we had really successful teams and were winning leagues and winning a lot. There's an adjustment, there needs to be an adaptation, and I think that's part of something for me and my staff to help them go through that and shape them and have a big end to the season."

You played in the Legends game back in September, so that's going to have to take a back seat, the Legends games, the padel, life is going to change very quickly. But it looks like you could still do 90 minutes now, to be fair...

"You're joking! It's amazing actually, I've been out of it and had some time away and freshened up a little bit."

Have you enjoyed that time?

"Yeah, I've loved it. For me, family time is important and being close and going through that and spending time is really important to me. But it's amazing how quickly you click back into it. Everything starts flowing again, the mind starts ticking, you get the buzz and itch to get to work and make the difference. It's amazing how quickly that comes and I'm right in it now."

I wonder how you want the fans to feel when they watch the football that your team goes out to play because there's nothing like the sound of those seats clacking and people standing up at Old Trafford, that sense of anticipation that there's an intake of breath. Just as you get to those brilliant moments at that great stadium. How do you want those fans to feel?

"It's a magical place, isn't it? It's always the mystique of what can happen, I think. You come to the games, sitting there or standing there, however you're watching the game. Expecting something to happen and getting excited by it. Listen, there are going to be times when we're playing really well. There are going to be times where it might be a little bit more difficult. That's football. That always has been [the case], for every team that's ever gone on the pitch at Old Trafford for Manchester United. It's not always smooth. That's the magic, that's the ingredient that we all get the buzz for and go in there with the hope and expectation that something's going to happen and it's something that you can really get attached to. You feel that emotion, I think that's so, so important and I feel that's what this club is all about. And it has been for so long. But history is one thing, and then doing it in the next game is something else. That's what we've got to do."

Of course, you've seen a lot of Academy players, making an appearance on the bench and on the pitch, how much have you enjoyed watching their integration into the first team?

"I've absolutely loved it. Everyone needs a chance, you know. Every younger player needs a chance and wants a chance. It's up to them to then earn the opportunity. That's always something I've been passionate about. Even when I was playing, if a younger player comes into the group, into the squad, I would be helping them and trying to guide them and give them advice. Seeing them flourish and almost fly because they've got that feeling they play for the first team and they've got that opportunity to come on the pitch. It's what this club has seen for so long and what we are all excited about. It's what the fans want to see, that freshness and rawness and unpredictable talent. So, for me to work with the players, to try to help them and give them opportunities, I'm definitely all for that because that's what this place should be."

You mention the fans there, I think they may be Manchester United's not-so-secret weapon aren't they? If you can find a way to deploy them, Old Trafford could be a fortress, it could be huge if you can get the fans to be that...

"I mean this is such a special place, you know, and Old Trafford is an incredible place and the fans will be there. No doubt we need them, you know, we need to be all together. I'm one of them myself and, trust me, my family is on my case. I know the responsibilities, they're desperate for us all to do well. The fans are there and are desperate to grab on to something, for us to go on a journey and to get excited and it starts Saturday."

I suppose the nice thing is you do have lots of time with these players on the training pitch. It's probably quite a unique position, so how does that make you feel, that you can really put your print on them?

"Yeah, definitely. It gives us time. I think it gives us time to plan a little bit and go through certain kind of processes of helping them really, if you like. Bits of coaching and mentoring and advice and show them different things and kind of shaping them into a team as well. Listen, we all love games, we'd love to be playing games, of course, more regularly, but it's clear what is in front of us. It's a really clear focus, a clear goal now, to have a real big end to the season. We've got shape and put the team in the right place to be able to do that."

I was a season-ticket holder for a long time and I went through that wonderful period in the late 2000s, when United were on top of the world. I think having you back is exciting for the fans as too, as you were part of a Manchester United history that still brings so much joy. I wonder what excites you about the next however months?

"So much, so much you know. Just to be in this position, to be here every day working with the responsibility of working for Manchester United, in any form, always excites me. To be sat here as the head coach, and looking after the first team, is huge, huge, huge. I'm kind of holding it in a little bit for the cameras you know, but the excitement is there. So, I know what it's about and I can feel it. As I said, the supporters are incredible and we need to go on this journey together and feed off each other. That's the idea." 

The fans have never stopped singing your song, is that something that always gives you pride because, probably, as a player, you don't appreciate it the way you should? But they've never stopped singing since the day you left...

"Yeah, listen, it's nice. I think respect kind of goes both ways, you know. I think they understand of certain players, how it goes and what the club means to you, how attached you get and it kind of takes over your life, you know. You don't just work here, you kind of live it. It's part of your life, it takes over your life and there's a sacrifice to that, of course there is. But, actually, it doesn't feel like that. It takes care of itself. Hopefully, the supporters, over the years, have appreciated that from me, you know, and how much I love the history and what's come before, and that responsibility and understanding of what it means. That's one thing, like I said at the very start, that's one part of it, and that's great. But I'm fully aware we're onto something new here and we need to grow, we need to improve, we need to go in a good direction, which I feel we will. But I'm not getting clouded by the past, that's great, and that's not going to do my job for me, and that's to make us a good team. We've got to put that in place. I fully believe in the boys that we can do that." 

Do you have a message for Manchester United supporters?

"I'm one of them. Listen, we give our best, you know. It's a huge, huge opportunity for me to be in this position. Come on Saturday, with everything you've got, full of energy, full of enthusiasm and support us in the good times, the struggling times, the rough times. And have that energy and enthusiasm to see something special in the next moment, or the next game, or whatever that is, to feel that passion. And love coming and love watching us, love the emotion that it brings. Saturday is an important game for so many reasons and I want to feel that everyone comes to that stadium with an expectation that something special might happen."