Middlesbrough man Gary Pallister describes Michael Carrick’s management style | OneFootball

Legendary Manchester United defender Gary Pallister is “excited” to see Michael Carrick’s Manchester United side in action. Carrick has been appointed interim manager of Manchester United until the end of the season and will have 17 games in charge of the side following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal and Darren Fletcher’s two-match caretaker stint.

In addition to both men hailing from the North East, there is a unique connection between the two former Manchester United stars. Carrick cut his managerial teeth at Middlesbrough, Pallister’s home club, and the one he returned to after his Manchester United career.

Pallister, speaking in association with Spreadex Sports, said: “I’ve watched his Middlesbrough team play. The first year he was here, they probably played some of the best football I’ve seen a Middlesbrough football club team play. If he can replicate that at Manchester United, then I’ll be very happy because he played a real attacking style of football, possession-based, with great attacking intent.”

Football in the Ferguson mould

“In terms of his style of play, if he replicates it in Manchester United, I’m sure the fans will be very happy because he wants to attack teams,” Pallister said. “A bit like Sir Alex did and some of the great managers of Manchester United, he wants to entertain and send people home with a smile on their face.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Pleased he’s got the job. Pleased he went away from Manchester United. He had got a job in management, cut his teeth there, and he’s now coming back. Because I think there was talk about him getting the job before he went to Middlesbrough, which he was possibly not ready for that because he hadn’t cut his teeth in management. But he has now, he understands it.”

Choice of Assistants

The former England international also believes Carrick has assembled an excellent team around him.

“I think he’s bringing in a great lad in Steve Holland to help him,” he said. “He was coach with England under Gareth [Southgate]. I’m quite excited. It’s a different thing for him. He’s dealing with some big egos in that dressing room. And, yeah, he’s got to get them all on side. Hopefully, if he does that, then they can start playing that football that we expect of a Manchester United side.”

What kind of manager is Michael Carrick?

We asked Pallister what the players should expect from Carrick, someone who comes across as very unassuming and calm.

“[As a player], he was quite a calming influence in front of that back four for Manchester United,” he replied. “Went about his job without any real fuss. But he was one of them players you miss if he’s not there.”

“So his playing career stands up against anybody in that dressing room, which is always something that players will talk about. It’s easier to ask players to do things. If you haven’t done it yourself, then sometimes it’s a lot harder. If maybe you get that message across. But I think he’s a clever lad. I think he’s a calm lad.”

So there won’t be teacups flying in the dressing room?

“I don’t know. I suppose management is different to playing. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with teacups getting thrown and managers having a pop. Maybe it’s harder these days to talk to the players. Players have a lot of power. We’ve just seen that in Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso picked a fight with Vinicius Junior. That probably doesn’t go down well with certain people within the club. And he’s lost his job.”

“There’s a fine balance between beating people with a big stick and putting an arm around the shoulder. It’s finding that balance. I don’t think you can let people get away with murder or not putting a shift in on a Saturday afternoon.[Carrick] worked it out for himself at Middlesbrough. But United is a different animal altogether.

The second part of our exclusive interview with Gary Pallister will be out tomorrow (Friday).

Featured image George Wood via Getty Images

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