Michael Carrick’s relationship with Amad clear as past comments resurface

Michael Carrick is set to return to Manchester United, with Amad previously sharing his own comments on the coach from their time together at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United comeback is set to be confirmed, with the coach rekindling ties with several members of the current squad. Among those he’ll be reunited with is Amad, who worked under Carrick during his second spell as caretaker manager back in late 2021.

Amad, 23, spent the opening months of the 2021/22 season at Old Trafford following his switch from Atalanta. Carrick was serving on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching team when the winger arrived, then departed in December 2021 after Ralf Rangnick took over as interim boss.

The 2008 Champions League-winner returns to Carrington in comparable circumstances. However, he’s had further dealings with Amad since leaving United, thanks to the player’s previous loan move to Sunderland.

The two found themselves as rivals in a north-east derby when the Black Cats triumphed 2-0 over Carrick’s Middlesbrough in January 2023. Amad netted to seal the Championship victory in that encounter, earning praise from his former assistant manager.

“He does what he does,” said Carrick at the time. “He’s really talented, Amad. Good in tight spaces and does what he does with the ball.”

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“For the goal, that’s what he brings and I think that’s what he’s maybe brought a bit more is his end product from when I knew him when he was a little bit younger a couple of years ago. He’s doing really well.”

Carrick continued by saying he knew Amad “very well” thanks to their shared history at United and praised him as a “terrific footballer.” Most impressively, though, the manager observed that the Ivorian had “jumped up a level again” since he’d last worked closely with the player.

Amad had already spoken glowingly about Carrick and the legacy he left at Old Trafford. When he joined United in early 2021, the winger was happy to switch from his preferred No. 19 to the No. 16 shirt because it had been worn by club icons such as Carrick and Roy Keane.

However, only one of those legends featured in Amad’s tribute when he said: “When I was told that I was getting the No. 16 shirt, I was happy because I know that Michael Carrick had previously worn that shirt for a long time and so it is a number worn by a legend of the club. So I have to respect the number and the players who wore it before me.”

It could be seen as another sign of respect that Amad has kept the No. 16 ever since. That’s despite the fact his improved standing in the squad has probably given him chances to switch if he wanted to.

Amad is expected to be available for Saturday’s Manchester derby following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Ivory Coast were eliminated from the competition after a 3-2 defeat to Egypt, freeing up the forward to resume his club responsibilities.

Ruben Amorim had regularly used Amad as a right wing-back before his departure for the AFCON, which resulted in him missing United’s last six matches. All eyes are now on Carrick and the tactics he’ll employ for his debut against Manchester City, but it’s evident Amad is one player who seems to have impressed him ahead of the big match.

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