- Manchester United legend backs Michael Carrick for the full-time job
- The pair played a combined 858 matches for the club
- Played 10 matches together on the international level
Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham has said that interim manager Michael Carrick is exactly what “United need.”
Both men carved out prolonged, influential careers at Old Trafford, though their timelines never quite aligned—Beckham departing for Madrid in 2003, three years before Carrick arrived.
Between them, they amassed a combined 858 appearances for United. Their connection instead came on the international stage.
Beckham and Carrick shared the pitch on 10 occasions for the England national team, beginning with Carrick’s debut—a 4–0 victory over Mexico in 2001—and stretching to one of Beckham’s final outings, a 2–2 draw against the Netherlands.
Now, more than 16 years on from their last shared appearance, one United great has thrown his weight behind another.
Beckham Throws Weight Behind Carrick’s Revival
Beckham spoke highly about Carrick during a call on talkSPORT last night before England’s 1-1 draw against Uruguay. He said:
“I’ve always liked Michael as a coach. There’s a calmness about him. On the sidelines, there’s an elegance whether he celebrates or shows frustration.“
He added:
“All of that matters in a manager. He knows the players and the way Manchester United should play. As a United fan, it’s exactly what we needed.”
With just seven games to go in the Premier League season, this will be yet another huge boost for Carrick as he pines to take the full-time job. With this being just another in a long line of legends who have backed him for the role, it seems to be edging closer and closer for the former United man.
Carrick’s current deal expires at the end of the season, but he’s shown a desire to stay on permanently. He’s been in charge since mid-January and overseen an incredible turnaround.
Another Icon Backs Carrick
It seems everything is coming together for Michael Carrick. Just days ago, former Ballon d’Or winner—and former teammate—Michael Owen told Read ManUtd exclusively, “Michael has what it takes to have the job full time.”
Now, with Luis Enrique—his chief rival for the role—reportedly close to extending his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, Carrick has received backing from one of Manchester United’s all-time greats as he pushes to make the role his own.
And whilst United fans are right to be reserved, there is no doubt that the mood has been uplifted since the departure of the divisive Ruben Amorim.
Since Carrick took charge of United, the trajectory has been emphatically upward. Ten games have yielded seven wins, two draws and just one defeat—the only real blemish a narrow 2–1 loss to Newcastle United.
United have beaten the prior top three upon Carrick’s arrival—Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa—before supplanting Villa themselves to climb into the top three.
With just seven games remaining, Carrick and co sit comfortably in third, five points ahead of rivals Liverpool, and six ahead of Chelsea—both of whom continue to circle the Champions League places.
With matches against said Chelsea and Liverpool to come later in the season—18 April and 3 May—victories in these matches would not only all but secure a Champions League position for United, but strengthen Michael Carrick’s claim to the role on a permanent basis.
And whilst the aforementioned Amorim deserves at least partial credit—he departed the club as they sat in 6th—Carrick has dragged them out of the mire and into the Champions League places.
