Carrick: Our coaches all bring something different

When appointed in mid-January, Carras brought in Steve Holland, Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate, with Travis Binnion and Craig Pawson joining the setup from within the club.

The boss was asked how that mixture of experience and personalities is working behind the scenes, alongside questions on Casemiro, our European aims this season and why the link between the Academy and first team is so important.

Here's everything he had to say...

Michael, you're fourth at the moment going to this round of games. That might change by Monday, but clearly you've got the team and the club into a good position now. There's 12 games left, no distractions at all. Is there a great chance now for this group of players to go on and get Champions League football next season?

“Yeah, it's good that everyone's asking that question, you know. It shows that we've put ourselves in a good position to start with, I think. Going back to what I've just said before, really, about we're not getting too carried away now, all of a sudden, after a few weeks. I think we know where we're at. We're in a good position. I'd still like to be in a better position, mind you, but we're in a good position, and we're positive. I think we should be, you know, I think there's a lot of good things to take and look forward to, really. But then again, it's up to us and putting it into play really. And yeah, it's possible. It's up to us to take the opportunity.”

It's been two years since this club was in the Champions League. That feels like too long for a club of this size and magnitude.

“Yeah, of course it's where we want to be. It's where we want to be. You know, we've had success in this competition before and some great experiences in this competition and for all sorts of different reasons, it's where we want to be, so it's definitely what we're pushing for.”

You've been a very physical presence at Academy games over the last month or so. I saw you speaking very passionately about the Academy, what it means. How important is that for you to be a visible presence and show youngsters that there's a pathway there for the first team when you attend these games?

“Yeah, it's massively important to me. I think [it’s] a little bit on my upbringing as well. You know, I came through at West Ham and with Harry [Redknapp] manager at the time, and Frank [Lampard Snr] as assistant manager, and a big part of that was pathways to the first team, and a connection with the first team. And funnily enough, obviously on the back of the FA Youth Cup, one of my big experiences was playing in the Youth Cup. We were playing York away, actually, and it's a decent stretch from London. It was a Tuesday night and Frank Lampard Sr, as assistant manager, came and watched that, and that was kind of something that, all them years ago, I can still remember. I missed a penalty on the night as well, so I remember that. But it's that connection, I've been brought up through that from West Ham and they were incredible at doing that. And how successful, coming to this club and obviously the history and the traditions here. It's something that, yeah, I'm definitely passionate about. I understand the responsibility and being in the role I am. But actually, we care about everyone at the club and the Academy is such a huge part of it. We want players to come through the system and try and get in the first team, being around it. So, it's important that, me and the staff, that we support that as much as we can.”

In an interview in October, Sir Jim Ratcliffe had said the standards of the Academy had really slipped. I know you've only been here a month or so, as I say, but from what you've seen, what's your take on that?

“Yeah, it's not so much a take on the quote, [but] I've seen the work the Academy does, I mean, my son’s been here since he was seven years old and I've seen it and [have] nothing but positive things to say, you know, the experience that he's had coming through. That's as a parent, really, so that side of things has been a great journey for him. Take away the football, just the experiences and the things that you live through as a young man, really. And for a long time, it's been successful with players and players in the first team and, you know, nearly 90 years, I think, since there wasn't an Academy player in the first-team squad. So, it's great history and something we need to keep building on for sure.”

How do you feel that your coaching setup is working? You've got the mix of experience in Steve Holland, and younger coaches in Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate. What are they bringing to the table individually?

“Yeah, they all bring something different, which is kind of the ideal scenario, really, you know. Different personalities, different experiences, coming from different angles, but essentially working together. I think that's the ingredient, really, the balance that you want to get. It's great to have different opinions and challenge each other and throw different ideas together, but definitely doing it with a real collective feeling. And I've been delighted, I have to say, absolutely, I couldn't have asked for any more of the staff, of the support that they've given me for starters, but certainly spreading it around and the way they're supporting the players and hopefully developing and improving each individual, is a big part of what we're trying to do.”

How important has Casemiro been over this run of results, not just on the pitch, but maybe the standards set in training and is that going to be very difficult to replace that kind of that example that he showed?

“Yeah, I've got to say, Case has been fantastic since I came, really, on and off the pitch, and experience is a great thing if you use it in the right way. And again, I think over time, being a senior player here is almost the responsibility of the example and helping the young players, helping the rest of the boys and passing on your experiences in a positive way. Yeah, he's been top since I came in, in so many ways, and he's been a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to continuing with him for a few months yet.”

He's obviously announced that he'll be leaving at the end of the season. Do you think that the level that he's playing at, he can be playing at the very highest level, still, next season onwards?

“Yeah, I'm sure he can, yeah. I'm sure he can. You know, he's playing as good a level as he's played at for some time, I think, at the moment. And it's great to see, you know, in so many ways, I said, the experience, technically, game understanding, just composure in certain moments. So yeah, he's in a really good place.”

Also on Casemiro, I mean, you've also played in that position yourself at the base of the midfield for United. What are the qualities the club might have to look for whoever replaces him?

“Yeah, well, listen, it's an important position, I think. Not being biased, obviously, as being a midfielder, but I think it is an important position to try and tie everything together and you’re connected to the whole team, and that's sometimes emotionally, a little bit mentally, and showing that composure and understanding of the game a little bit. And Case’s has had a big influence within the group on that. So, something we're fully aware of moving forward, for sure.”

You mentioned in your book that David Moyes struggled to adapt to a club like Manchester United. He brought in more running, and the players didn't take well to everything that he did. Has your experience of Moyes’s introduction to a new group of players framed your way of managing now in your career?

“I think every manager that I've played under, I've taken something from. A lot of respect for David and the career he's had is incredible, you know, to be at the top level for such a long time, I fully respect that, and he's a good man. So, I'm not surprised by the fact that he's come back to Everton and done so well again, you know? So, that's experience, you know, we're talking about Casemiro and the experience he brings. I think me, obviously, in this position for a short period of time, but I think experience being around football for a long time, you take positives, you take some things that you might not do and you might improve on. That's just the decisions that you take along the way, you know, and certainly I'll learnt a lot from David.”

So not too much running in training?

“You’ve got to run to play football.”

Can I just ask you about Marcus Rashford. Obviously, former teammate of yours and when you were last on the coaching staff, he was kind of seen as the future of the club, and it looked like he could maybe play his entire career at United. Do you find it a shame that he ever felt the need to leave Manchester United for that challenge?

“It's difficult to say, you know, because circumstances at certain times, that I haven't been involved in. It's difficult for me to comment, really. I think the fact he's come through the Academy and had such a big impact here is a positive and as a club, he's had some really big moments, and good moments, and I've shared some with him in the past, you know? So, football throws up certain things and obviously certain players, you can't stay here forever and things happen. That's how it is.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe offered an apology publicly about his comment. Has he spoken to you and/or the squad?

“The last time I've seen Jim was Arsenal, to be honest, and I'm fine with that. I don't think there's anything really, in terms of constant communication from above, that in my role that I need. I think my role’s to kind of create the environment within a group and obviously lead in terms of the first team and beyond that. Obviously, sitting here now and the supporters listening in, that's part of my role and I'm fully aware of that, but I don't necessarily need it from above to be constant."

Your role is to lead. Does something like this kind of undermine that?

“We're definitely all pulling together, I think, being in and around here and being in and around stadiums in the last few weeks and certainly, in this environment, quite closely, I think it's clear as you could ever be [that there] is pulling together. So, we're pretty strong as a group.”