René Meulensteen offered to help Michael Carrick during his tenure. (Image: Manchester United FC 2013)
Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen has made an offer to lend his knowledge to Michael Carrick during his temporary stint as Manchester United’s caretaker manager. Carrick took charge of the Red Devils earlier this week, stepping up to lead the team until the end of the season. His task is to secure European qualification while the club searches for a permanent manager.
There is virtually no margin for error as United sit in 12th place, about the same as fourth. Meulensteen, who worked with Ferguson as an assistant from 2008 to 2013, confirmed that Carrick would be prepared to provide coaching over the phone if needed in the coming months.
In a conversation with Casino Stugan, the former Fulham manager said: “It’s been 12-and-a-half years since I left United. So many managers have left, Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) was there too, but there weren’t any talks, so I don’t really think about it.”
“The last 12 and a half years have been a long time. So many things have changed. What we had under Sir Alex was unique. We had the most successful manager in the history of English football, everything was done a certain way, we played a certain style and that is gone now.”
“Everything is different. The players are different. The environment is different. The role is different. I don’t know what kind of impact I can make.
“Of course, if Michael Carrick or anyone else called me, I would answer the phone. And of course you would too.”
Carrick is managing a United side that sit seventh in the Premier League and three points off the Champions League places.
The former midfielder will have a tough start to his second stint as caretaker manager, starting with the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, where he faces league leaders Arsenal.
Asked what the former England international should focus on, Meulensteen stressed that Carrick urgently needs to define a tactical blueprint.
Meulensteen believes Carrick can land a permanent job. (Image: Getty)
The Dutchman explained: “At the moment United have a lot of different players, so we need to rebuild some things again.
“Amorim was trying to mold the players into a system that never really worked. It’s now a challenge for Michael to set up the players in a system that suits them.”
“Everyone knows he has taken up the job as caretaker manager until the summer, so we will have to wait and see what Manchester United do then before we look beyond that.
“Will Carrick be able to do well enough to remain as permanent manager, as Solskjær did when he was brought in as interim manager? That could happen.
“Let’s assume he goes on an incredibly unbeaten run, secures a top four spot, qualifies for the Champions League and they don’t have to worry about anything else.
“All they have to do at the moment is win as many games as possible in the Premier League. But I think what people are looking at is how they play under Michael and also his style of play.”
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