Former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, now with West Ham, has publicly declared his strong belief that Michael Carrick deserves to be the permanent manager at Old Trafford. Wan-Bissaka’s five-year stint at United saw him experience various managerial styles, but it’s Carrick who clearly left the most positive impression.
Having worked with Carrick both as a coach and during his brief, successful stint as caretaker manager in 2021, Wan-Bissaka lauded his approach. “He’s someone you can trust,” the full-back revealed, praising Carrick’s simple yet effective communication and the mutual trust he built with the players. Carrick’s record of five wins from six games as interim boss evidently resonated deeply within the squad, leading Wan-Bissaka to confidently state, “I think he should be given the full-time role. I think he deserves it.”
This endorsement comes amidst Wan-Bissaka’s candid reflections on his own struggles at United. Moving from Crystal Palace at 21 for a huge fee, he battled homesickness and isolation, missing his family in London. While he admired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s personal touch, his relationships with subsequent managers, Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag, were challenging. Under Ten Hag, he felt out of favour and confused by mixed messages about his future, leading to significant mental strain.
Wan-Bissaka’s insights highlight the profound impact a manager’s man-management and clarity can have on players. For him, Michael Carrick offered the stability and trust he needed, making him the ideal candidate to steer Manchester United forward.
