Manager says players can lift the club when they invest their ego in it
Michael Carrick says he will be looking to channel, rather than suppress, player ego as he looks to guide Manchester United back to the top of English and European football.
Carrick has overseen an impressive revival since returning to Old Trafford midway through a turbulent 2025-26 campaign, steering United to Champions League qualification and a third-place finish. The former midfielder has also been offered a two-year contract to become the permanent head coach.
He said that he believes ego can be a positive force within top teams.
“The ego is a funny one, actually, because I think to perform at the top, top level, you’ve got to have some sort of ego,” Carrick said. “You need and that could be used in all sorts of different ways, so I think how you use it, really, is the key thing.”
Carrick, who made 464 appearances during his playing career at United and won five Premier League titles as well as the Champions League, played alongside elite teammates who were among the very best in the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I think putting the ego from yourself into the team is important and you’ve got to have something to fight for and be attached to, really,” Carrick said. “It doesn’t have to be an ego where it’s an individual thing or it’s a negative in any way.
“I think it’s essentially a pride in yourself and what you’re kind of working towards.”
The 44-year-old also pointed to the atmosphere within the squad as a key factor behind the club’s turnaround.
“I think it’s clear to see the spirit, connection and camaraderie that everyone’s pulling in one direction, to put their ego into the football club can be quite powerful and we’ve got to use that.”
United face Nottingham Forest on Sunday and will have to play against Elliot Anderson, who is reportedly on the club’s radar as they target a midfield rebuild in the summer.
“He’s done well,” Carrick said of Anderson. “I think he’s a big part of their team. I think he offers so much and they’ve got a really talented and dangerous team. But, yeah, you can see obviously he’s an important part of their team.”
