Thankless task awaits the returning Carrick

MICHAEL CARRICK is walking straight into a hiding to nothing at Old Trafford.

- BY JEREMY CROSS

Carrick is set to become interim manager of Manchester United for the second time in his career.

A role otherwise known as, 'The impossible job'.

Carrick is heading back into a club that's somehow in a worse place than when he took caretaker charge in November 2021.

He will find a group of players with no trophies left to win.

Some of them will have no motivation to secure Champions League qualification, because they will be leaving in the summer.

Squad morale is on the floor, because United's campaign is now in the gutter alongside the club's once great reputation.

The man who has taken charge since Ruben Amorim’s sacking, Darren Fletcher (inset), signed off by describing the players as “fragile” after they crashed out of the FA Cup with defeat to Brighton.

But somehow Carrick has to find some confidence and belief in a group of players from minute one.

Because United have the small matter of a derby showdown with Manchester City at home on Saturday.