“I told them straight after the game” – Michael Carrick reveals why he decided to leave Manchester United 

Michael Carrick left his role as Manchester United’s caretaker manager following the Red Devils’ vital 3-2 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League last night.

The Englishman, who served as the club’s interim manager for three games, has opened up on his decision to leave. He revealed that he’d parted ways with the club in order to spend more time with his family.

Official. Michael Carrick has decided to step down as First Team Coach and leave Manchester United following the conclusion of his spell as caretaker Manager. ???? #MUFC

Official. Michael Carrick has decided to step down as First Team Coach and leave Manchester United following the conclusion of his spell as caretaker Manager. ???? #MUFC https://t.co/Kr9Qk7zo8W

The former Manchester United midfielder said:

“That’s one of my biggest things, my son’s desperate for me to take him, so it probably won’t be very long. I’ll be onto the players for tickets, try and nick some comps off them for the away end!”

“That’s the type of thing I’m looking forward to doing, spending time with my son, my daughter and my wife, things I’ve never been able to do because I’ve never been around.”

He added:

“I promised my family when I was playing that after I’d finished playing, because you put so much into it, that I’d retire and we’d have a bit of time together. It never happened, I came straight into coaching. Just in kind of recent days, it’s just that feeling that the timing’s right, it feels right.”

“It’s not been easy to make the decision in that respect but in terms of family and, how I feel right now, I’m really content and happy and looking forward to what’s ahead.”

Michael Carrick had an amazing spell as Manchester United caretaker manager, beating Villareal and Arsenal and drawing Chelsea in his three games in charge.

The 40-year-old has hailed his short stint with the club, giving the players credit and pledging to keep supporting them going forward. He remarked:

“It’s a rollercoaster, it’s been amazing. I’ve had incredible memories, some special nights. Tonight was obviously special but tonight wasn’t about me. It was the players and the fans, experiencing the type of nights which we should do.”

“I told the coaches, the immediate first-team coaches, today at around lunchtime and then I told the players straight after the game. I didn’t want anything to be about me today. It was all about the players and getting the right result.”

“I told them straight after the game in the changing room. It was emotional obviously, probably caught them off guard a little bit, but it’s a terrific group of players and I’m sure they’ll go on to great things.”

Carrick added:

“I’ll be supporting them. I’m not going anywhere, I’m still here, I’ll be supporting them home and away. My son is driving me mad to take him to an away game again. I’ve told the players I’ll be right behind them.”

What next for Manchester United?

Following their 3-2 triumph over Arsenal on Thursday night, Manchester United will continue their Premier League journey with a clash against Crystal Palace this weekend. They will then lock horns with Young Boys in the Champions League next week.

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As it stands, the Red Devils occupy seventh position in the Premier League with 21 points from 14 games. They’ve also sealed their qualification into the next round of the Champions League.