Carrick's dedication shines as he journeys 340 miles to support United's U18s, showcasing a manager's commitment beyond the first team.
It's safe to say that Michael Carrick has been very popular amongst Manchester United fans for a long time now.
He was a player at Old Trafford for 12 years between 2006 and 2018, making 449 appearances and winning five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, three League Cups, a UEFA Champions League, Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup.
Individually, he was in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year for the 12/13 season, and won United's Players' Player of the Year for the same season. He was known for his technical ability as a defensive midfielder, and still remains underrated till this day.
Many say that Carrick was very underlooked for the England national team, winning just 34 caps between 2001 and 2015, despite many shouts in that time for the team to have a natural defensive midfielder.
Then, after retiring in 2018, he became a first team coach at the club - and took over on an interim basis after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back in November of 2021, staying undefeated in those four games, before Ralf Rangnick took over until the end of the season.
After which, Carrick became Middlesbrough manager, guiding the Teesside club to the Championship play-offs back in 2023. He then left the club in the summer of last year, before taking over as United interim manager last month.
That unbeaten run from his first caretaker stint has continued this time, with United winning all of his first four games in charge, before a credible draw against West Ham United last time out.
So, it's safe to say that Carrick's popularity is even higher than before. The team are winning games again, and the likes of Kobbie Mainoo are back in the team and thriving.
Well, the 44-year old has made himself even more popular, it would seem. Indeed, as on Wednesday night, he travelled all the way down to Oxford to watch United U18s against Oxford United.
For those that are not aware, Manchester to Oxford is a 340 mile round trip. Yet despite that, Carrick had the commitment to make that trip, on a weeknight no less. Pretty amazing.
Furthermore, The Athletic have reported that the gaffer was impressed by the performance of 15 year old JJ Gabriel, so that is certainly one to keep an eye on over the coming years.
What a manager, what a guy. Let's hope the good times keep on coming.
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