Overview
- Michael Carrick, assistant Steve Holland and coaches Jonathan Woodgate and Travis Binnion watched the Under-21s beat Sporting in Leigh, a show of academy engagement that contrasted with Ruben Amorim’s tenure.
- Ajax’s approach to take Manuel Ugarte on loan was rejected, with the midfielder’s future to be assessed under Carrick as Kobbie Mainoo’s form pushes him down the pecking order, according to The Athletic.
- Recruitment this month is expected to be limited as INEOS and senior executives defer major decisions until a permanent head coach is appointed, though links to Ruben Neves, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Wilfred Ndidi are being reported.
- Carrick has reportedly tweaked training to be shorter and more intense, with players responding positively in early sessions, as first detailed by the Daily Mail and relayed by the Daily Star.
- Carrick’s staff has been refreshed with Holland and Woodgate, and his first match delivered a 2-0 derby win over Manchester City that set a pragmatic tone for the interim period.