Cristiano Ronaldo Makes Shocking Prophecy About Michael Carrick's Manchester United Future

Cristiano Ronaldo foresaw his former colleague Michael Carrick becoming an "exceptional coach" following their brief working relationship when Carrick served as Manchester United's temporary manager.

The former midfielder is poised to make his comeback to the Old Trafford technical area following reports suggesting that a standout interview has positioned him as the frontrunner ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjær and current caretaker Darren Fletcher.

Ronaldo featured in 127 matches for United playing alongside Carrick during their three seasons together at Old Trafford, securing three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League trophy. The duo were brought back together in November 2021 when the Red Devils swiftly substituted one former player (Solskjær) with another (Carrick) for a brief three-match interim period.

Carrick subsequently witnessed Ronaldo net the opening goal of his short tenure in a 2–0 triumph against Villarreal. The former England midfielder had the courage to bench the seasoned striker for a visit to Stamford Bridge five days afterward but was compensated with a double from Ronaldo in a 3–2 win over Arsenal in what became his concluding match.

After his last outing under his former teammate, Ronaldo utilized social media to share an enthusiastic assessment of the outgoing manager. "Michael Carrick demonstrated class as a player and has the potential to become an exceptional coach too," the Portuguese superstar declared.

"Nothing remains beyond reach for this individual. Personally, I take pride in having competed alongside him as well as having him as a manager on our sideline."

Ronaldo, it must be acknowledged, penned an even more effusive tribute following Solskjær's dismissal several weeks prior: "He served as my striker during my initial arrival at Old Trafford and became my coach upon my return to Man. United. Above all else, Ole represents an exceptional person. I wish him success in whatever life holds for him."

Notably, there was no reference to any coaching abilities regarding the Norwegian manager.

Michael Carrick's Managerial Record

It would require an extremely optimistic interpretation of Carrick's nearly three-year stint at Middlesbrough, which constitutes his entire senior management experience, to consider Ronaldo's prophecy fulfilled. Nevertheless, several months into his inaugural season, it appeared a more reasonable wager.

Having initially kept his distance from the role, Carrick assumed control of the Championship side in October 2022 while they sat just one point clear of the drop zone. After abandoning a controversial three-at-the-back system (something United supporters can empathize with) the Newcastle-born manager guided Boro into playoff contention.

Middlesbrough would eventually suffer elimination in the playoff semi-finals against Coventry City, yet the prospects looked promising for Carrick and his ambitious squad. A seven-match winless streak to begin the 2023–24 season quickly dampened any elevated hopes.

The campaign would fluctuate dramatically between these prolonged highs and lows. Right after that disastrous opening, Carrick supervised six consecutive league victories, marking only the second occasion the club had accomplished such a streak in three decades. A difficult spell in February was offset by a solid conclusion to the season, but such unpredictability meant that Boro never spent a single weekend higher than eighth, their final position.

The Teessiders would mount an impressive Carabao Cup semi-final run, driven primarily by the breakthrough of young Morgan Rogers. The future England international would be transferred in February 2024 to Aston Villa, while Chuba Akpom and Emmanuel Latte Lath—Carrick's leading goalscorers at the conclusion of his first two campaigns at Middlesbrough—were also sold.

Throughout Carrick's three years in the northeast, Boro were outspent by 10 different teams and generated the fifth-highest profit from player sales. While not operating on a minimal budget, the loss of crucial players certainly hindered his ultimately unsuccessful quest for Premier League advancement.

Boro concluded a disappointing 10th in Carrick's final campaign, the letdown amplified by local rivals Sunderland's successful playoff campaign. In June it was confirmed that Carrick would separate from the club, moving him further from Ronaldo's prediction of coaching greatness.