Michael Carrick and assistant arrive together as Man Utd vision set out by new boss

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Michael Carrick arrived for his first day as Manchester United boss with assistant Jonathan Woodgate as the pair drove into Carrington together.

On Tuesday the club confirmed that their former player would take charge until the end of the season and also named his backroom staff, which includes Woodgate and former England assistant Steve Holland. Carrick's relationship with Woodgate dates back to his Middlesbrough stint.

The two men worked together at the Riverside Stadium and helped Boro reach the play-offs in their first season. Carrick has now bought Woodgate with him to Manchester as they and Holland look to steady the ship after the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

Darren Fletcher, who had been in a caretaker role for two games, has returned to his role as United’s Under-18s coach. Carrick will now prepare the team for two daunting tasks - beginning with the visit of Manchester City at the weekend.

After that he will prepare the team for a trip to Arsenal , meaning United will face the top two in the Premier League during Carrick's opening fortnight.

It is unclear whether Carrick will be considered for the job once the season ends, but an impressive few months will make him hard to ignore. He is among the favourites to be the permanent successor to Amorim but knows he cannot lean on his previous achievements going forward.

He said: “I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.

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“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.

"There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”

Carrick takes over a team reeling from a loss to Brighton in the FA Cup . Fletcher's other game saw him claim a point at 19th-place Burnley . Their hopes of winning a trophy are over for another year, but they are in the hunt for the top four, sitting just three points off Liverpool .

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