Michael Carrick has explained why it was important to have Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans as part of his Manchester United coaching staff for his interim reign.
The 44-year-old Manchester United legend was all too familiar with Jonathan Woodgate, who was a first-team coach under Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough.
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Carrick’s first managerial role began at Middlesbrough and he was widely hailed for his work at the Championship club before he was sacked from his role in 2025.
Alongside Woodgate’s arrival at Old Trafford, Jonny Evans returned to the Premier League club and took up a key role in Carrick’s United coaching staff as well.
Evans had supported Darren Fletcher in the short term in January after his former United teammate served as caretaker manager ahead of Carrick’s arrival.
Michael Carrick on adding Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans to his Man Utd coaching staff
Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans have taken up their roles in Michael Carrick’s backroom staff, with Steve Holland taking up duties as assistant head coach.
Joining the three aforementioned Manchester United coaching staff members at Old Trafford has been Travis Binnion, who has played a key role with the academy.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Carrick was asked about his relationship with Steve Holland, Woodgate and former Man Utd teammate Evans since his return in January.
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The former Middlesbrough manager highlighted his dynamic with both Woodgate and Evans, as well as including Travis Binnion in his backroom staff at United.
“Jonathan… I had him at Middlesbrough – loyal, gets me, knows me, pushes me, challenges me… really good relationship,” Carrick said.
“Jonny knew the club. He’s been here so long and has a really good relationship with the players as well… loves coaching, loves helping, cares a lot.
“And then with Travis… the club needs the academy. It’s a massive part of this football club.”
Michael Carrick’s assessment of Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans after five Man Utd matches in charge
Carrick has pushed Man Utd into the top-four picture after the Red Devils legend has overseen four Premier League wins in five matches since Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
The United interim manager insisted that the right kind of “balance” has been struck with having Woodgate and Evans alongside him until the end of the 2025-26 season.
“I think there’s a really good balance with the responsibility of the academy, young players and then Jonathan and Jonny – being two of the best centre-backs you could come across in the last 20-25 years – to pass their information on,” Carrick added.
United are fourth in the Premier League table and the Red Devils are one point clear of fifth-place Chelsea ahead of Monday’s clash against Everton at Goodison Park.
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