Bruno Fernandes' Michael Carrick comments after Arsenal result look spot on

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Few Manchester United players will be more thrilled by Michael Carrick's return to the dugout than Bruno Fernandes . The Portugal international not only featured under Carrick during his initial interim stint in charge back in 2021 but also predicted a bright future for him in management.

Carrick, who was named United head coach until the end of the 2025/26 season earlier this month following Ruben Amorim's exit , filled a similar gap after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked just over four years ago. Although he managed only three matches before Ralf Rangnick took over, Carrick quickly boosted morale at Old Trafford, guiding the team to notable wins over Villarreal and Arsenal .

After the latter, Fernandes rushed to Carrick for a hug and later heaped praise on him in his post-match interview. "Honestly for me Michael can be a really good manager in the future if he gets that chance," the now 31-year-old said.

"He knows how to speak, he knows a lot of football. He was one of the great players that not a lot of people talk about. For what I have seen he can be a top coach."

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Those words now seem almost prophetic, with Carrick back at United, albeit temporarily. After stepping aside for Rangnick, Carrick - who had been part of both Jose Mourinho's and Solskjaer's coaching teams - ended a 15-year association with the Red Devils that started when he joined from Tottenham as a player in 2006.

His managerial career truly began when he took charge of Middlesbrough in 2022. He quickly steered the club out of Championship relegation danger by winning 16 of his first 23 matches, finishing the season with Boro in the play-offs, though they were beaten by Coventry in the semi-finals.

In his second year at the Riverside Stadium, Carrick narrowly missed out on the play-offs, ending up eighth, but led the team to the League Cup semi-finals - their first since lifting the trophy in 2004. A year later, however, he was dismissed after another play-off miss, with the team finishing 10th that season.

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Even so, he won widespread acclaim for the attacking, flowing football his side played during his tenure. That reputation may have helped tip the scales when United were searching for a new head coach, as the club were also in advanced discussions with Solskjaer at the time.

Carrick eventually secured the role - and, similar to his time at Middlesbrough, quickly made an impact. In his first match back, he orchestrated a commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester City , earning high praise for his tactical approach.

Next up is a trip to title contenders Arsenal, who have been beaten only once by United in the league since Carrick oversaw a 3-2 win in his final caretaker game in 2021.

If he can work the same magic against the Gunners on Sunday, Carrick could not only turn his short-term appointment into a permanent position at Old Trafford but also prove that Bruno Fernandes was right on the money about his managerial potential.

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