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Quinton Fortune explains why Michael Carrick fits Manchester United
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- Quinton Fortune explains why Michael Carrick fits Manchester United
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Michael Carrick's return to Manchester United as head coach has been backed by Quinton Fortune, who says the former midfielder is well-suited to the role.
Michael Carrick has been appointed as Manchester United's head coach, with a deal that will run through to the end of the season.
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The mid-season change came after Ruben Amorim was dismissed on January 5th, leaving United looking for a quick solution.
Darren Fletcher stepped in as caretaker manager for two matches before returning to his role with the U18s, while the club quickly moved forward in their search for a more permanent replacement.
Ineos opted for Carrick over other strong candidates like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy, believing he was best suited to stabilise things until summer.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions from former players. Roy Keane raised doubts about Carrick's coaching staff, while Ashley Young publicly offered his support. Naturally, with any move at Old Trafford, opinions have been widespread and varied.
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Quinton Fortune backs Man Utd decision to hire Michael Carrick
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Michael Carrick has had just three days to get his players ready for his first game in charge, with Manchester City coming to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The 44-year-old took the job not long after being dismissed by Middlesbrough, where he spent two-and-a-half years but was unable to secure promotion from the Championship.
Quinton Fortune, who once played for United, believes that Carrick's humility fits well with what the club stands for.
"I have been very fortunate to play there," Fortune told Sky Sports.
"The very core of Manchester United is about humility. When you look at Michael, he is the most humble person you can find.
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"He doesn't want to be in the limelight and rightly so because it's about the team. It's about the club."
"Michael has gone in there and mentioned how he is going to improve the players. The work ethic. I mentioned humility."
"No team should outrun or outfight Manchester United. That's the DNA and, of course, you tell the players. That should be a given."
"Tomorrow [Saturday] you expect a United team to go make it difficult for City. Run, fight – but then you've got the quality as well. Play as a team. Selflessness. Selflessness was the most important thing."
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"You play for the team and forget about yourself," continued Fortune.
Quinton Fortune's playing days at Man Utd
Fortune became the first African player to play for United after Sir Alex Ferguson brought him over from Atletico Madrid for £1.5 million in 1999.
One of his most notable qualities was his willingness to fill any role needed, always putting the team first.
He made 126 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists along the way.
And he was also part of United's squad that won the Premier League title in 2003.
