Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has sent a powerful message to supporters as preparations for the upcoming season kick off.
Optimism
There is certainly optimism that United can build on the positivity of the 2025/26 season to finally kick on under Carrick.
Appointed in January, initially on an interim basis, to replace the dismissed Ruben Amorim, Carrick oversaw a fantastic run of performances and results that culminated in United finishing third and securing Champions League football after a two-year exile.
In next to no time, Carrick implemented an attractive, front-footed and attack-oriented style of play that fans immediately got behind.
The legendary midfielder was rewarded with the job on a permanent basis.
A group of players will report back to Carrington on Thursday as pre-season gets underway, and Carrick has taken the opportunity to thank fans for their unwavering support last season while laying out his plans for the future.
Carrick’s message
The 44-year-old wrote in his column for the Yearbook, “I’d like to start by saying a huge thank you for your incredible support throughout last season. As a club, we pushed forward together and you played a massive part in driving the team to finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League.”
“Having been a Manchester United player, coach, supporter, season ticket holder and now head coach, I am fully aware just how important you are to our club. It is a real privilege to have been backed by you ever since I first walked through the doors here, 20 years ago.”
“During the first few days after I returned to the club, myself and the coaching staff talked to the players about the huge opportunity we all have to represent Manchester United, which means so much to so many people, and the importance of embracing the challenge of playing for our club. The players certainly did that and more, and we can be really proud of the progress the group has made over the last few months.”
He continued, “Whether you are a player, member of staff or fan, we saw during the first two games after I returned, against Manchester City and Arsenal, the unique buzz you are always chasing here.But I think what pleased me most was the way we backed it up and kept progressing after those early successes.”
“We showed quality, consistency and that we can win in different ways. There were great attacking performances against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa but also wins with loads of spirit and fight too, like at Everton and Chelsea.”
“Even after we’d secured a Champions League spot, we didn’t lose momentum or focus. In our final two games, you could see the determination was still there from everyone. That’s exactly what we need to drive us forward going into next season. Of course, I know that it can’t always be plain sailing, because the standards are so high. Those standards are necessary for a club of this magnitude. It’s why achieving something here is so satisfying. And if we show togetherness, along with the values that we want to see in our performances, then we’ll always have a fantastic chance of being successful.”
“We know that we need to keep improving. We have a huge responsibility here to win and play exciting football. That never changes, and we should always be striving to compete for the biggest trophies. There are steps to take but we are in a good place to take them.”
“We’ve got a fantastic group of players, and we believe they have the required standards of talent, commitment and determination to be successful here. They love being at the club and we can see how badly they want it; that gives us the confidence to know we’re really building something and moving in the right direction.”
Carrick finished off by stating, “We know we’ve got what it takes to beat the best teams in this league. Now it’s about doing that over a full Premier League campaign, while also fighting for every trophy available to us. I cannot wait to lead the group forward next season and for those special European nights to return to Old Trafford. We are ready to kick on and give you more of the great moments that United are all about.”
United’s first game is against Hull City on 22 August.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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