Michael Carrick is set to return to Manchester United and reunite with some familiar faces from his current squad. Notably, he will work again with Amad, who he previously managed during a short interim managerial stint in the second half of 2021.
Amad started the 2021/22 season at Old Trafford after joining from Atalanta. Carrick was part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff when the winger arrived, but left in December 2021 when Ralf Rangnick took over as interim manager. United’s new caretaker manager will return to Carrington on similar terms. However, since leaving United thanks to a brief stint at Sunderland, his path has crossed with that of Amad.
The pair faced each other as opponents in January 2023 when the Black Cats won 2-0 against Carrick’s Middlesbrough.
Amad scored the goal that sealed Sunderland’s victory, earning him praise from his former assistant manager.
“He does what he has to do,” Carrick said at the time. “He is really talented, Amad. He is good at playing in tight spaces and does his thing with the ball.
“I think in terms of goals, that’s what he brings and maybe that’s what he brings a little bit more. That’s his end product from when I knew him a few years ago, when he was a little bit younger. He’s doing really well.”
Carrick went on to reveal his strong affinity with Amad after their time together at United, describing him as a “fantastic footballer”.
More notably, the manager said the Ivorian had “stepped up again” since their last close working relationship.
Amad has previously expressed his admiration for Carrick and his legacy at Old Trafford. Upon arriving at United in early 2021, the winger happily swapped his favorite number 19 for a number 16 jersey, given his links with club legends such as Carrick and Roy Keane.
However, only one of the iconic figures was mentioned in Amado’s eulogy. “When I heard I was going to get the number 16 shirt, I was happy because I knew Michael Carrick had previously worn that shirt for a long time and it was a number worn by a legend at the club. So I have to pay homage to that number and the players who have worn it before me.”
The fact that Amad has continued to wear number 16 ever since may be seen as a sign of respect.
