EXCLUSIVE
axed?
Michael Carrick departure from Manchester United ‘not his choice’, talkSPORT told, but Ralf Rangnick insists ex-assistant was asked to stay
Michael Carrick's shock departure from Manchester United may not have been 'his choice' - although new interim boss Ralf Rangnick insists the ex-assistant was asked to stay.
The 40-year-old announced he was stepping down as first-team coach after overseeing Thursday's thrilling 3-2 victory against Arsenal as caretaker manager at Old Trafford.
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He became a legend at the club after winning a Champions League and five Premier League titles following a switch from Tottenham in 2006.
He then joined Jose Mourinho's coaching staff after retiring in 2018 before working under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who he stepped in for following the Norwegian's exit last month.
After overseeing two wins and a draw during his three-game interim reign, Carrick dropped the bombshell that his 15-year association with the club would come to an end.
In his pre-Arsenal press conference, he claimed he had not spoken to Rangnick and talkSPORT Breakfast host Alan Brazil is adamant that Carrick is not leaving by his own accord.
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"He hasn't spoken to Rangnick. What's all that about?" the former Red Devil exclaimed. "Now we know.
Asked if it was his choice to leave, he said: "Absolutely not!"
Ally McCoist said Carrick had done a great job in his short spell as interim boss, with the Red Devils just three points off the top four since he stepped in following Solskjaer's sacking, and was just as intrigued by the situation.
"He's been brilliant, Carrick. He handled himself brilliantly well," the Scot added.
"I'm thinking after the game that he's obviously made that decision himself, but he's obviously made it beforehand.
"The more I think about it, you might be right.
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"However, maybe he has just felt it was the right time to leave at kind of the same time as Ole."
But Rangnick insists he did speak to Carrick and tried to persuade the iconic midfielder to remain on the coaching staff.
Speaking in his first press conference on Friday, the new interim boss said: “Michael, I got to know this two days ago. I met with Michael and Kieran, I had a long private conversation for more than an hour.
“I tried to convince him to stay, in the end, I had to accept that. I'm more than happy to work with the current coaching staff, I need their expertise."
Meanwhile, Carrick explained the decision was a result of various personal factors.
"It's 15 and a half years I've been here now and it literally takes over your life," the departing first-team coach said. "It should do as well.
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"I've dedicated everything I could possibly do as a player and then obviously as a coach.
"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.
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"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 them type of nights which we should do."
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