Cristiano Ronaldo has previously delivered a strong verdict on former Manchester United teammate Michael Carrick’s coaching abilities.

Carrick earned a permanent contract after an impressive start to life at Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim's replacement. However, he is now under serious pressure after leading the Red Devils to an eight-game winless run, culminating in thrashings by Como and Bournemouth.

Carrick’s only previous permanent managerial role came at Middlesbrough, where he won 16 of his first 23 matches, freeing the Riverside Stadium side from the spectre of relegation. However, his second season failed to build on the promise of playoff football, and he departed in June 2025 after having also served as United's caretaker in 2021, where he briefly oversaw a dressing room featuring Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's Thoughts on Michael Carrick Resurface

After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure on 21 November 2021, Carrick was named caretaker manager. His first match, a Champions League tie at Villarreal, ended in a win thanks to late goals from Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, confirming United’s place in the last 16.

After a 3-2 victory over Arsenal on 2 December, Carrick stepped down as Ralf Rangnick was appointed as interim manager for the rest of the season.

Although his duties in the Old Trafford cockpit were short-lived, Ronaldo had no doubt that Carrick had the potential to become a successful head coach. He wrote on X following Rangnick's appointment (see the post below):

"Michael Carrick was a class act as a player and he can become a great coach as well. Nothing is impossible for this guy. Personally, I’m proud to have played with him by my side as well as with him as a manager on our bench."

During his Premier League career, Ronaldo played alongside Carrick 127 times, with the duo achieving an impressive 2.27 points per game - the highest among any of Carrick’s teammates he featured with at least 50 times. Based on his previous comments, Ronaldo would've likely been confident in Carrick's ability to turn things around.

Carrick's Record as Man Utd Manager

Carrick had a remarkably impressive record as Man United interim manager, coming out on top against some very notable managers. In his first stint, in 2021, he oversaw three games, winning two and drawing the other.

Those results are all the more impressive when you learn that he managed a 2-0 win away against Unai Emery's Aston Villa, a 1-1 draw away against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea, and a 3-2 home win against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

Then in 2026, he managed to oversee stunning wins over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and an Arsenal side that went on to win the Premier League.

Carrick’s intelligence and awareness were praised by former manager Louis van Gaal, who called him his “trainer coach during the game.” His impact was also lauded by teammates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, as well as Champions League rivals Xavi and Xabi Alonso.

In 2015, The Telegraph ranked him number one on their list of “The top 20 most underrated footballers of all time,” describing him as an “unassuming but highly intelligent and technically gifted deep-lying midfielder” who “has consistently performed well.” Much of that high praise has continued into his young coaching career.

The 45-year-old's coaching style emphasises calm, possession-based football focused on dominating space, building from the back with a passing goalkeeper, and creating overloads in attack that overwhelm the opposition defence.

The mood at Old Trafford has turned recently, just as it did in Amorim and Ten Hag's final days. It appears unlikely that Carrick will be able to turn things around, but stranger things have happened in football. Ronaldo certainly believes in his ex-teammate.