Michael Carrick: Ex-Manchester United Man Eyeing Up Premier League Return

Before taking the reigns at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough, Michael Carrick had a short but successful spell as caretaker manager at Manchester United. As Boro eye promotion, will we see Carrick back in the Premier League soon?

Can Carrick Guide Boro to Promotion?

Middlesbrough are one of several clubs looking for promotion to the Premier League this season. The Championship is a fascinating league to watch, though it is one of the toughest divisions to get out of. Looking at the EFL Championship odds for promotion, Middlesbrough are priced at 5/1.

Carrick did an outstanding job in his first season at the Riverside Stadium. Boro were looking like relegation fodder under Chris Wilder, but Carrick brought the feel-good factor back, and Middlesbrough went from one point off the drop zone to the Championship play-offs.

The North Yorkshire side finished fourth in the table with 75 points to their name. They picked up 22 wins from 46 matches, scoring a staggering 84 goals in the process. Unfortunately, Carrick’s troops were beaten by Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals.

Middlesbrough made a poor start to this season, and the pressure was mounting, but they have since turned a corner. A win against Cardiff City in early October was the third league victory on the spin.

Looking Back at Carrick’s Old Trafford Career

Carrick made the switch to Old Trafford to replace the departing Roy Keane back in 2006. He was thrown straight into the limelight after being handed Keane’s famous No. 16 shirt.  

Carrick would go on to have a successful 12-year playing career at the Theatre of Dreams, getting his hands on a hatful of trophies along the way. He was a regular in the heart of Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield for years, racking up over 300 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils.  

During his stay in Manchester, Carrick won five Premier League titles and the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League. He also won the FA Cup, two EFL Cups, and the UEFA Europa League. After a stunning 2012-13 season, Carrick was named Manchester United Players’ Player of the Year.

Carrick retired from playing in 2018 and was given a coaching role at Old Trafford. Before Ralf Rangnick’s appointment, he took temporary charge of the team, overseeing wins over Villarreal and Arsenal and a draw with Chelsea.

Carrick Destined for a Premier League Return

Carrick’s main ambition is to win promotion to the Premier League with Middlesbrough. He has shown in his short time in coaching that he has what it takes to manage at the highest level, and it could be just a matter of time until we see the former midfielder back in the Premier League.

With a whole host of top sides in the second tier, winning promotion from the Championship could be tougher than ever this season. However, Middlesbrough have a very capable manager in Carrick, and Boro could be lining up at Old Trafford in the Premier League next season.