Carrick dismisses personal duel with Glasner and focuses on the team.

Michael Carrick, the current interim manager of Manchester United, made it clear that his focus is far from personal rivalries, even in the face of the possibility of facing Oliver Glasner, the manager of Crystal Palace, one of the names tipped to take over at Old Trafford in the future. Sunday’s match promises to be a significant challenge, but Carrick downplays any notion of an individual duel, concentrating instead on much more important objectives.

Although Glasner is going through a tumultuous period at the Palace, where criticism of the club’s management and the FA Cup elimination to Macclesfield have shaken the fans’ confidence, Carrick seems to be fully focused on his mission. With an impressive record of five wins and one draw in the last six matches, Carrick has risen to the status of favorite for the permanent position, especially after Aston Villa’s unexpected defeat against Wolves, which could propel United to third place in the Premier League, a position they have not occupied since the end of the 2022-23 season.

“It’s not something that crossed my mind until you mentioned it,” Carrick stated, downplaying any personal motivation in the match. “It doesn’t make the slightest difference. I have total respect for Crystal Palace and for Oliver, regarding the team they are and the role they play. But it’s just the next game for us,” he added.

Remember that the last time the two clubs faced each other, on November 30, Palace was ahead of United in the table, but the situation has changed drastically since then. The Manchester United, which is fighting to secure a place in the Champions League, sees this match as a clear opportunity to solidify its position, particularly with Chelsea, currently in fifth place, set to face Arsenal and Aston Villa in the upcoming fixtures.

Unfortunately for Carrick, Matthijs de Ligt, a key player in the 2-1 victory over Palace, is out due to a back injury. Lisandro Martinez, also a center-back, missed the previous game against Everton due to a calf issue, although Carrick stated that it is a “minor concern” and that the Argentine will not be absent for long.

“We are in a reasonable situation,” Carrick commented, showing optimism about the team’s future. “We feel that we are making progress, but it’s just about what’s in front of us and trying to get to where we want to be, which is a bit higher in the league. That’s literally all I’m concerned about at the moment.”

Carrick’s determination to focus on the collective rather than personal rivalries suggests a manager who not only wants to succeed on the pitch, but is also shaping a winning mentality among his players. The match against Crystal Palace is not just an opportunity for Carrick to solidify his position, but also a crucial test for the immediate future of Manchester United.