- Paul Pogba on Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick
- Frenchman backs him
- Why Pogba’s view is important
Paul Pogba has firmly backed Michael Carrick to succeed as Manchester United head coach. The French midfielder played at Old Trafford during Carrick’s spell as caretaker boss back in 2021.
Carrick has been appointed United’s permanent head coach this time around. He landed the job after guiding the Reds to UEFA Champions League qualification.
The club eyed several high-profile names, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique. But Carrick has been handed the reins on a full-time basis after delivering a third-placed finish.
Pogba hails ‘great’ Carrick
Pogba, who left United in 2022, has given his thoughts on Carrick becoming manager. The AS Monaco midfielder told Sky Sports:
“I think he’s doing a great job, and he did it also at the time when he was assistant to Solskjaer. “He’s a great guy, he has experience…. I wish them the best obviously.”
Pogba played under Carrick during his time as assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and when he replaced the Norweigan temporarily as caretaker manager. The pair know each other well.
The Frenchman had been a youth player at Old Trafford during the latter stages of Carrick’s playing career. Many hoped that the 33-year-old would fill the void left by the Englishman after his retirement in 2018.
Carrick is tasked with steering the Red Devils back to competing for major trophies. Much like when United re-signed Pogba from Juventus in 2016, a new marquee midfielder is desired to replace Casemiro.
Pogba’s clearly a fan
Carrick continues to earn the support of most former United players, except the likes of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane. He was a popular member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s dressing room so Pogba’s admiration isn’t surprising.
The fact that he draws on Carrick’s time assisting Solskjaer is intriguing. For many, this period was the best football the team have played since Ferguson’s era.
Carrick knows the club inside and out and what it means to represent it. He now needs to prove his doubters wrong and live up to the hype the likes of Pogba are giving him.
