'If anyone is made for this, it's Michael'
Manchester United legend John O’Shea is confident that his former team-mate Michael Carrick will take the role of caretaker manager in his stride.
The former Reds midfielder has been put in temporary charge of the first team following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his first task is our all-important Champions League group-stage match against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica this evening.
O’Shea made 133 of his 393 United appearances in the same side as Carrick and, based on their experiences together, the Irishman believes Michael is an ideal candidate to lead the team in this time of transition.
“If anyone is made for this situation that has developed, I think it's Michael with his persona, personality and all-round professionalism,” O'Shea told us, before the flight to Spain.
O’Shea made 133 of his 393 United appearances in the same side as Carrick and, based on their experiences together, the Irishman believes Michael is an ideal candidate to lead the team in this time of transition.
“If anyone is made for this situation that has developed, I think it's Michael with his persona, personality and all-round professionalism,” O'Shea told us, before the flight to Spain.
Press Conference: Villarreal (A) Video
Press Conference: Villarreal (A)
Michael Carrick and Harry Maguire spoke to the press ahead of our Champions League group game in Spain…
“Look, it's a tough situation for him, let's be honest. But he will be dealing with it like I know he will and like he did on the pitch, being very calm, very calculated and ultimately very focused on the team and getting a result.
“He knows it is a tough situation to be put in, because of the relationship he had with Ole. But his professionalism would, for me, mean it will be no problem for him and he will take it all in his stride.
“He is very calm and he is also very technical. Whether it's playing football, golf or tennis, he is technical and he is all about technique, as you can tell from his playing career. He will be delving into the details to get a positive result against Villarreal.”
“He knows it is a tough situation to be put in, because of the relationship he had with Ole. But his professionalism would, for me, mean it will be no problem for him and he will take it all in his stride.
“He is very calm and he is also very technical. Whether it's playing football, golf or tennis, he is technical and he is all about technique, as you can tell from his playing career. He will be delving into the details to get a positive result against Villarreal.”
The players know Carrick extremely well because he has coached the first-team squad for several seasons and O’Shea believes his achievements in football will command a level of respect.
“Yeah, it will do, and because he has worked with the players for a few years now they will respect him,” said the former Republic of Ireland international.
“Now, he has got a chance to stamp his authority for however many games he has as the manager. He will be looking to get that authority onto the pitch and off it as well. Hopefully, he can change our fortunes around and get some positivity back.”
“Yeah, it will do, and because he has worked with the players for a few years now they will respect him,” said the former Republic of Ireland international.
“Now, he has got a chance to stamp his authority for however many games he has as the manager. He will be looking to get that authority onto the pitch and off it as well. Hopefully, he can change our fortunes around and get some positivity back.”
Carrick: I fully believe in the players Video
Carrick: I fully believe in the players
Michael Carrick tells us he's determined the Reds will get the job done at Villarreal...
While the circumstances as Carrick’s appointment are unfortunate, given he was so close to Solskjaer, it will remain a proud moment for him to manager United in Europe on Tuesday.
“It will be an incredibly proud moment for him,” O’Shea told us. “It won't be the situation that he would have wanted, nobody wanted this to happen like that for him.
“But he has been trusted now with this position and to lead the team will be something he will always cherish, but he will want to do it with some wins as well.”
“It will be an incredibly proud moment for him,” O’Shea told us. “It won't be the situation that he would have wanted, nobody wanted this to happen like that for him.
“But he has been trusted now with this position and to lead the team will be something he will always cherish, but he will want to do it with some wins as well.”
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