Michael Carrick's new Man Utd rules that persuaded owners to give him job revealed

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When Michael Carrick sat down with Manchester United's owners last week, he outlined his vision for what would help make the team succeed again.

This didn't involve stating the obvious of winning matches. More a blueprint for what methods he thought would give United the best chance of winning games. Joel and Avi Glazer, along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe were said to be engrossed in the words which spilled from Carrick's lips.

The executive meeting had been planned to take place in Monaco. But Carrick couldn't justify travelling to the south of France, when he had important work to do on the training pitch. He told his bosses he would be adopting a different approach to training and match preparation. That he was invested in quality more than quantity. How talking to each other and being honest, however brutal this might be at times, was just as valuable as having the ball at their feet on the training ground.

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Club sources insist Ratcliffe was impressed with the "calm and intelligent demeanour" of his new interim manager.

Carrick knew there would be a step-up in enthusiasm and energy from his squad following his return to the club. That a new, if familiar face to some, would give the group a lift.

But he spoke with assistant Steve Holland before the first training session, to discuss the importance of taking full advantage of an improved mood.

While in the background, Harry Maguire made it clear to his team-mates how United had re-hired someone with the club's principles running through his blood.

Carrick has given Holland free reign to plan sessions and take them at Carrington. Gareth Southgate handed him the same responsibility during his time as England manager. It worked for him - and Carrick sees no reason why the same cannot happen for himself.

While Carrick remains in charge and has the final say on team decisions, he is humble enough to bow to Holland's far greater coaching experience. Sessions are shorter and more intense. The players have been impressed with the attention to detail.

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While Carrick has encouraged the squad not to be in such a rush to leave the training ground when it's time to go home. He wants relationships to build and flourish. And he wants to be there to see which ones work, and which ones don't.

He has spelled out how being a United employee, let alone a highly paid player, should always be regarded as one of the ultimate privileges in football.

Carrick has made a point of speaking to certain individuals whose futures seemed uncertain. Kobbie Mainoo , Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee have all been told to focus on United and the immediate future.

Ahead of home games, United will now arrive at Old Trafford later than they did when Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim were in charge. Carrick wants his squad to get the best greeting possible, and to engage with supporters after matches as well. He also wants his players to spend less time hanging around before kick offs.

Amorim would send his players home after matches without much feedback. But Carrick, following his first game in charge which saw United thump Manchester City at Old Trafford, has taken the opposite attitude.

Win, lose or draw, no-one leaves the home dressing room without feeling appreciated. Carrick has also attended youth games. He knows his actions lead by example. And being prepared to do what some of those to go before him didn't (although Amorim did), outlines how invested he is in the project.

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Carrick's return has coincided with United being engulfed in a relentless debate about the value and nature of the criticism aimed at them by pundits, most notably former players.

It has turned toxic, but Carrick has refused to get involved, making it clear to his players and coaching staff that there are far more pressing - and important - problems to fix. And with no European football to focus on, Carrick knows he has more time than usual to come up with solutions.

But even if he manages to get a positive result at Arsenal this weekend, his mantra will remain the same. One swallow does not make a summer.

A summer by which time, he will have left no stone unturned in his quest to become United manager on a permanent basis.

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