{"id":1850,"date":"2026-05-16T22:41:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T22:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=1850"},"modified":"2026-05-16T22:41:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T22:41:40","slug":"michael-carrick-says-some-sort-of-ego-matters-if-man-utd-are-to-be-their-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=1850","title":{"rendered":"Michael Carrick says \u2018some sort of ego\u2019 matters if Man Utd are to be their best"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-1ihz57b-0\" data-component=\"Newsletter\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"independent\">\n<div data-theme-wrapper=\"independent\" style=\"display:contents\">\n<aside class=\"sc-y4bm30-0 jwWhkK newsletter-component sc-1ge0fwe-0\" data-newsletter-key=\"receiveInsideSportNews\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-1 inRDZn\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-3\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-4 hfveGa\">\n<p><h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-6 fvoxRM cLEJmn\">Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of sport<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-8 fvoxRM iTZFOX\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-7 fvoxRM iGYpOF\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hKcUSR sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1ix0cah-0 PYnPb sc-y4bm30-10 fUEDPX\"><use href=\"#600f53465147d717\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk sc-y4bm30-9 iQYNfz\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/michael-carrick\">Michael Carrick<\/a> wants to harness the power of player ego rather than remove it as Manchester <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/united\">United<\/a> look to return to the top.<\/p>\n<p>The 44-year-old made 464 appearances during his medal-laden time playing for the Red Devils, winning five <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/premier-league\">Premier League<\/a> titles and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/champions-league\">Champions League<\/a> crown among other silverware.<\/p>\n<p>Carrick\u2019s experience with United as player and then coach was key to the club turning to him midway through a topsy-turvy 2025-26 season, which will end with Champions League qualification and seemingly third spot.<\/p>\n<p>The former midfielder has overseen an impressive turnaround since being brought in for the remainder of the campaign, with confirmation that he is staying on as Ruben Amorim\u2019s successor a matter of when, rather than if.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly sized Real Madrid made a comparable move by turning to Alvaro Arbeloa the day before Carrick\u2019s appointment, but while United have thrived the Spanish giants\u2019 season has unravelled amid fighting and mudslinging.<\/p>\n<p>Asked if United\u2019s settled dressing room is due to removing ego from it, the head coach said: \u201cThe ego is a funny one, actually, because I think to perform at the top, top level, you\u2019ve got to have some sort of ego.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou need and that could be used in all sorts of different ways, so I think how you use it, really, is the key thing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd I think the part of me, of learning and being here and seeing others, better players than me, dealing with that and sacrificing themselves for the team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think putting the ego from yourself into the team is important and you\u2019ve got to have something to fight for and be attached to, really.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI hope I\u2019m making sense when I say that. It doesn\u2019t have to be an ego where it\u2019s an individual thing or it\u2019s a negative in any way.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think it\u2019s essentially a pride in yourself and what you\u2019re kind of working towards. I think all our egos, which we\u2019ve got in different ways.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think it\u2019s clear to see the spirit, connection and camaraderie that everyone\u2019s pulling in one direction, to put their ego into the football club can be quite powerful and we\u2019ve got to use that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>United will look to put such traits to good use on Sunday, when they host Nottingham Forest in the final home game of what has been their shortest season in 111 years.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/casemiro\">Casemiro<\/a> will get the chance to bid an emotional farewell to the Old Trafford faithful before this summer\u2019s departure as one of the men eyed as replacement starts for the opposition.<\/p>\n<p>Elliot Anderson is among the most sought-after midfielders in world football and United have a longstanding interest in the England international, even if Manchester City\u2019s interest and Forest\u2019s price tag may rule out a move.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s done well,\u201d former midfielder Carrick said of his fellow Wallsend Boys Club graduate. \u201cI think he\u2019s a big part of their team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think he offers so much and they\u2019ve got a really talented and dangerous team, so they\u2019ve had a good season to get to the (Europa League) semi-finals and just fall short.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut, yeah, you can see obviously he\u2019s an important part of their team.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world 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