Steve Bruce: Michael Carrick has already mastered the toughest part of Man United job

Legendary Manchester United defender Steve Bruce has insisted that caretaker boss Michael Carrick has already solved the biggest challenge of being in charge of the team.

Carrick is enjoying a fine start to life in the United dugout since he was named Ruben Amorim’s temporary replacement in December last year.

He has taken charge of eight games, winning six, drawing one and losing one. His only defeat came in last week’s 2-1 humbling to Newcastle at St James’ Park.

At present, United sit in third place in the Premier League table, nine points adrift of Manchester City in second and level with Aston Villa in fourth.

Yet, despite the transformation he has overseen, Carrick does not appear to be nailed on for the permanent role. United insist that they will conduct a thorough appointment process as opposed to making knee-jerk reactions. Several former players, including Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Owen Hargreaves, have all called for Carrick to be handed the position if he delivers Champions League football.

Then there’s the other camp: Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, who seem dead set against Carrick getting the job.

As the debate rages on, Bruce believes Carrick has already cracked the hardest part about being United boss – the increased scrutiny and media attention.

Speaking on talkSPORT , Bruce said, “What I said from day one is, no matter who you are and where you’ve been and what you haven’t done or what you have done, unless you get into Man United and find out what it’s about, then you don’t know.”

“When I first went, even years ago, it’s a big club but you don’t realize the scrutiny that’s on you, the spotlight that’s on you, the intensity of everything is on you from the day you walk into the ground.”

“It’s so big.”

“And I came from Norwich at the time, but even then it engulfed me by the size of it, you know?”

Bruce added, “Wherever you go in the world, whatever. Back in the day, it was all newspapers – there were five pages on Man Utd. The intensity of it is incredible. The scrutiny and the spotlight is on you totally, which is part of being a big, big club.”

“Handling that is always the hard part, in my opinion. Michael knew the club straight away. 10, 12, 13 years.”

“This quiet demeanour he’s got, there’s obviously a streak in him, which we all know he’s got, because he wouldn’t be such a good footballer without it.”

“He’s got that, and he’s got the instant respect of the players.”

United return to action on Sunday when they host Villa. The contest kicks off at 14.00 GMT.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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