Manchester United have announced that manager Michael Carrick has been appointed full-time on a two-year deal.
Carrick took on an interim role in January after Ruben Amorim was sacked, and has overseen a turnaround in form with the Red Devils certain to finish the season third on the Premier League table.
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With United sitting seventh when Amorim departed, Carrick managed to secure a Champions League place for next season in a significant boost to the club who played no European football this season.
United have won 11 of 16 games, drawing three and losing just two since the 44-year-old former club captain took charge.
“From the moment that I arrived here 20 years ago, I felt the magic of Manchester United. Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride,” Carrick said.
“Throughout the past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.
“Now it’s time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose. Manchester United and our incredible supporters deserve to be challenging for the biggest honours again.”
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United were in chaos when Amorim was sacked as the Portuguese coach’s tactical decisions had left the players disillusioned and his relationship with club officials in tatters.
Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox said Carrick had impressed the club with his work on and off the pitch.
Wilcox said: “Michael has thoroughly earned the opportunity to continue leading our men’s team. In the time he has been doing the role, we have seen positive results on the pitch, but more than that, an approach which aligns with the club’s values, traditions and history.
“Michael’s achievements in leading the club back to the Champions League should not be understated. He has forged a strong bond with the players and can be proud of the winning culture at Carrington (training ground) and in the dressing room, which we are continuing to build.”
Carrick, a former England midfielder, spent 12 years at Old Trafford as a player, winning five Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Carrick’s former teammate Gary Neville praised him for bringing stability to Old Trafford.
“From the very first minute, the games against Manchester City and Arsenal, those first two games were absolutely astounding, the turnaround,” told Sky Sports.
“I just don’t know how it went from being so low in that period before Michael came in to the levels that they got to in those two matches.
“Since then, they’ve maybe not reached the highs of those two games but that would have been difficult anyway, but just being very consistent, getting over the line in games where they haven’t played well, been a lot more together, a lot more energy.
“Michael Carrick stabilised the club, on and off the pitch. On the pitch with the players, they’re obviously a lot more comfortable in the system and the way in which they’re being coached. But off the pitch as well, the fans are a lot happier. That comes with results but also they know Michael, they trust him, they respect him, and in the staff of the club as well.
“It’s been a turbulent couple of years and it’s probably the best period the club’s been in since Michael came in and he deserves a lot of credit for that.”