“You really see…”: Ten Hag signing points out one “great” thing he immediately noticed about Carrick

Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui believes that Michael Carrick’s connection to the club is already influencing the group on the training pitch. Speaking to United’s official website, the Moroccan international discussed how the current interim head coach’s past as a former United player shines through on a daily basis. The 28-year-old returned from the Africa Cup of Nations shortly after the Wallsend man’s appointment. Mazraoui claims, however, that he has now had time to properly feel the new boss’ impact. Carrick credentials clicking Michael Carrick made 464 appearances for the Red Devils during his successful playing career. Noussair Mazraoui, therefore, maintains that such longevity carries weight inside the Old Trafford dressing room. “He has a big history at the club,” Mazraoui remarked. “You really see that he knows the club,” he added. The full-back also observed that the former England international’s understanding is not just talk. The ex-Ajax ace referenced the 44-year-old’s meetings and instructions as evidence of someone who “feels the value of the club” as well. In addition, the Netherlands-born man suggested that recent displays have not been accidental. Rather, he went further to argue, “That’s not by luck or anything, that’s more quality and his understanding of the club rather than anything else.” Woodgate wisdom and Evans ease Carrick has been joined by his assistant at Middlesbrough Football Club, Jonathan Woodgate, as well as former United centre-back Jonny Evans. Mazraoui emphasised the pair’s defensive pedigree as an important factor. On working with Woodgate for the first time, Mazraoui stressed that the former Real Madrid man has made a great impression thus far, “He’s really positive […] He’s really, really clear.” Furthermore, Mazraoui illustrated how the wider coaching group delivers consistent messages. Moreover, he highlighted how instructions are communicated in a way that the players can quickly absorb. Meanwhile, Evans is a familiar face. Mazraoui played alongside the former Northern Ireland international on nine occasions last season. He insists that the switch from team-mate to coach has been fairly seamless. “So, basically nothing really changed,” Mazraoui said. Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Okari Wambunya Okari Wambunya is a football writer at The Peoples Person, covering Manchester United with fast, accurate, and source-led news, analysis, opinions, team developments, injuries, press conferences, and matchday reactions. A former secondary school teacher, he now coaches college football (not soccer) and continues to support young people through academic mentoring and youth work. He holds a BA (Hons) in English from Brunel University London and an MA in Education from King’s College London, with experience across digital journalism and broadcast sports media. Okari first praised Michael Carrick in a blog post he wrote at 16-years-old in 2014; over a decade later, United appointing Carrick as interim head coach feels like a full-circle moment.