Michael Carrick leaving Manchester United as caretaker stint ends

Former Red Devils midfielder ends long association with club after overseeing Thursday's win over Arsenal

Michael Carrick applauds fans after Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 on Thursday, in his last match as the Red Devils' caretaker manager. Reuters

Michael Carrick has ended his long association with Manchester United after overseeing Thursday’s thrilling victory against Arsenal as caretaker manager.

Signed from Tottenham in 2006, the midfielder won the Champions League two years later and collected five Premier League winners’ medals.

Carrick, 40, joined the United coaching staff after his retirement in 2018, working under Jose Mourinho and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He stepped in as caretaker boss after Solskjaer's departure last month, with the 2-0 victory at Villarreal and 1-1 draw at Chelsea followed by a 3-2 win against Arsenal.

Thursday’s Premier League match proved his last with United, which announced he had stepped down as first-team coach before interim manager Ralf Rangnick takes charge.

“My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career," Carrick said.

“When I first signed over 15 years ago, I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined winning so many trophies and I will certainly never forget the fantastic memories both as a player and as a member of the coaching team.

“However, after a lot of thought and deliberation, I have decided that now is the right time for me to leave the club.

“I want to place on record my thanks to all of the players and a special mention goes to the backroom staff.

"Working long hours with such a great group of people has been a real pleasure and I have made some long-lasting friendships.

United 3 Arsenal 2: player ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea - 7: Floored by Fred and thus unable to save Smith-Rowe’s controversial opener. Now 15 matches without a clean sheet at Old Trafford for United. Superb reflex save to his right from Aubameyang on 46 minutes, then Odegaard’s shot trundled past him for Arsenal’s second. PA

Alex Telles - 6: Offered an attacking outlet, pushed up and sent good a cross into the box just before half-hour mark. Went down in the area and appealed for a penalty that wasn't given on 35 minutes. Ball sailed over his head for Aubameyang in second half. Getty

Victor Lindelof - 7: Awkward at set-pieces in first half but came alive in last 20 minutes. Key moment for the Swede was heading a dangerous Arsenal free-kick away on 73 minutes. Vital tackle on Tavares with five minutes to go. And again from a Martinelli effort as Arsenal tried to equalise. Reuters

Harry Maguire 7: Skied a shot from distance after half an hour and pushed forward several times in the first half and was involved in build-up to equaliser. And the second goal. Did well to hook a ball away from his goal in injury-time. Passing much improved. EPA

Diogo Dalot - 8: Had shot on goal in opening 10 minutes after United’s first decent move. Pushed right up, got right back. Strong tackle on Taveres before half-time and again after 59 minutes. Involved in build up for Ronaldo’s first with a fine ball. Positive night in his first league start of season. EPA

Fred - 7: What a night. Clumsy start but, in a more advanced position, won ball back to set up Ronaldo after 10 minutes. Then fouled his own goalkeeper, flooring De Gea who was then unable to save Smith Rowe’s opener. Side-footed an assist for Fernandes’ equaliser. Adrift of Odegaard for Arsenal’s second, yet blocked a Saka shot. Won a second-half penalty, too.

Scott McTominay - 7: Aggressive and never stopped as his side came from behind in front of the watching Ralf Rangnick for a first home league win since early September. Excellent in the air. Yet Arsenal kept getting between him and the United defenders. Booked. Getty

Bruno Fernandes - 7: Tried and tried in the first half, then side-footed in the equaliser on 44 minutes. He’s cut a frustrated figure lately and celebrated by kicking the ball onto the roof of the stand. AFP

Marcus Rashford - 6: Plenty of ffort but out of tune in the first half. Not so in the second where he teed-up a perfect cross across goal for Ronaldo’s equaliser. Made good runs on the right and shot across goal himself. AFP

Jadon Sancho - 7: Confident start but work cut out in his tussles with Tomiyasu. Pass to Fred which led to United’s penalty. Busy last 10 minutes with one surging run out of defence with the ball and also broke to set up Fernandes. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo - 9: Up for it. Six shots, four of them off target. Turned Partey and shot at Ramsdale just after break, then scored his 800th career goal to delight of Stretford End. That became 801 when he smashed in a 70th minute penalty. Getty

SUBS: Jesse Lingard - (On for Rashford 78') N/A. Fresh legs were needed. Had lone attack in the 84th minute. Reuters

Anthony Martial - (On for Ronaldo 88') N/A.

Donny Van de Beek - (On for Fernandes 89) N/A. Brought on to a big cheer. Reuters

ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 5: England goalkeeper could do little for two of the goals, with one penalty and one finish into the far corner. He should have done better with the first, though, which was hit quite centrally by Fernandes. AFP

Nuno Tavares - 5: Left-back had some forays up the pitch, but was caught out of position for the second Manchester United goal, pushing high up the pitch. EPA

Gabriel - 6: The 23-year-old rarely put a foot wrong in the game, despite his side conceding three goals. He made a great challenge to stop Ronaldo and did well in covering at the back. Getty

Ben White - 5: Summer signing struggled at times, weas at fault for the equaliser as he gave away the ball then failed to block shot from Fernandes. PA

Takehiro Tomiyasu - 6: Japan international played well, slotting in at centre-back when required but also venturing forward at times. He made a great last ditch challenge to deny Fernandes in the second half from a few yards out. Getty

Emile Smith Rowe - 7: Playmaker scored a bizarre opener for his side, shooting from the edge of the box whilst De Gea was down on the ground injured. Getty

Mohamed Elneny - 6: The Egypt international had a solid showing in midfield, rarely giving the ball away and circulating possession for his side. Getty

Thomas Partey - 4: Midfielder was poor on the ball, failing to pick the correct pass on multiple occasions. He gave the ball away in the middle of the park that allowed Fernandes to create a dangerous attack in the first-half. Getty

Gabriel Martinello - 8: The 20-year-old was a bright spark throughout, causing issues for Telles down the right. He beat the left-back to then pull the ball back for Odegaard to score the second goal. Getty

Martin Odegaard - 5: Up and down game for the Norwegian, scoring the second goal with a brilliant finish, but then giving away a penalty with a clumsy challenge on Fred in the box. AFP

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5: Arsenal captain was rarely involved in the game, but missed one key chance to score. The ball fell to him at close-range, but he could only hit it straight at De Gea in the United goal. Getty

Bukayo Saka - (On for Smith Rowe 70’) 6: The 20-year-old was in the thick of it straight away after coming from the bench, having a few half chances to score. Saw his best opportunity stopped by big block from Fred. AFP

Alexandre Lacazette - (On for Aubameyang 80’) N/A. Reuters Eddie Nketiah - (On for Odegaard 80’) N/A.

“I am, and will always be, a Manchester United fan and will come to as many matches as possible.

“I would like to wish Ralf, the staff, the players and the fans all the best for the future and I look forward to being in the stands and supporting the boys as a fan.”

Carrick played 464 times for United during his medal-laden playing career with the club.

John Murtough, the club's football director, said: “Michael leaves with the sincerest thanks and best wishes of everyone at Manchester United after 15 years of exceptional service to the club as a player and as a coach.

“While we are sad to see him go, we respect and understand Michael’s decision.

“He will always be known as one of the finest midfielders in the history of Manchester United, and, more recently, as an excellent coach who has worked tirelessly under two managers to help develop the strong squad that Ralf will now take charge of.

“We are grateful for the steady leadership Michael has shown through this period of managerial transition, and, while he is now stepping away from day-to-day involvement, he will always be welcome back as a legend of the club.”