Carrick reveals the shocking 'lesson' David Moyes gave at Manchester United

Over ten years since departing from the managerial role at Old Trafford, tales about David Moyes' tenure at Manchester United still captivate supporters.

Recently, Michael Carrick disclosed notable details about Moyes' first conversation with the Red Devils' stars right after he succeeded the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

In the summer of 2013, Moyes was personally chosen by Sir Alex to take over the team fresh off an English Premier League title. However, replacing an icon like Ferguson was an almost impossible challenge. And perhaps, right from the early days at Carrington, the disconnect began to show.

In his 2018 autobiography, Carrick recalled a moment that left him and many teammates puzzled. “In one of the first meetings, David told us: ‘I believe I can help you play better. I know you just won the title last season and I have been watching you. I can make you run more.’ I just thought his way of speaking wasn’t quite fitting.”

“We had just won the Premier League by 11 points and scored 11 more goals than any other team. Our running stats weren’t particularly high, but we secured 29 points from behind that season, so our fitness and fighting spirit were certainly strong.”- Carrick said.

Therefore, Moyes' message unintentionally gave the impression that he was trying to 'fix' a squad that had just reached its peak. Carrick admitted that the delivery was not really suitable for the players’ mindset. In the champions' dressing room, confidence and pride were at their highest, and any changes required subtlety.

Nevertheless, Carrick fairly acknowledged Moyes’ efforts. He focused more on set pieces, deeply analyzed opponents, and clearly showed his desire to earn the players’ trust. However, the on-field results did not reflect these efforts. Manchester United finished seventh, 22 points behind the champions, ending Moyes’ short reign at Old Trafford.

Interestingly, after years of wandering, Moyes returned to manage Everton FC and continued to prove his ability in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Carrick also pursued a coaching career and has faced his former mentor multiple times. Despite candid remarks, the former Manchester United midfielder holds great respect for Moyes, praising the Scottish coach’s resilience and extensive experience.

Moyes’ story at Manchester United remains one of the biggest turning points in the club’s post-Sir Alex history. It shows that success in football depends not only on tactics but also on timing, dressing room management, and the ability to connect with a winning team.