What changes when you have a club legend as manager? How can the presence of someone who knows the stadium, fans, and club inside out affect the mood in the dressing room?
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has offered some insight into life under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford. After clocking two important wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, the former midfielder has placed United well on course to seal a spot in European competition. The Englishman took over as interim manager after United sacked Ruben Amorim, who was leading the club from bad to worse.
Meanwhile, Amad, while speaking on a podcast, revealed that fans often become a part of Carrick's pep talks. As Manchester United players, the squad should always remember that they are playing for the supporters as well. "I think having Michael Carrick as head coach in the team is very important because he knows the club... He's the main man who can tell us [about] the club we are playing for. Before the games he keeps telling us: 'You guys, you are playing for yourself, but you're playing also for the fans,' and he’s telling us the fans are very important for us," Manchester Evening News quoted Amad as saying on the Inside Carrington podcast.
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Carrick is a kind individual who interacts with all players, the winger said.
"We are also playing for the fans because we want to win and we want to give them something back. Having Carrick is very enjoyable and we enjoy the training. He’s a nice guy. He talks with everyone and I'm so lucky because I know him already – he was here when I arrived, when I was 18. I also played against him when he was in the Championship, so I have known him for a long time and he's a nice guy."
Manchester United were able to make it four wins out of four for caretaker manager Carrick before drawing 1-1 against West Ham United. Carrick's resurgent United are well-placed for a return to the Champions League, but the legend will have to wait till the end of the season to learn if he will get to keep the job or not as another high-profile hiring is expected before the next season begins.