Robert Thorburn

🚨 Michael Carrick on Sir Alex Ferguson’s statement about being there for the opening of Manchester United’s new stadium in person or in spirit: 🗣️ Michael Carrick: “When I read what the boss said, that he hopes to be there when the new Manchester United stadium opens, either in person or in spirit, I had to sit with that for a moment. Because Sir Alex was never the man who spoke about things as if they were the end. He was always the opposite. He was the man who told us there was another game, another season, another trophy to chase. So seeing him talk about being there ‘in spirit’ hit me differently. I actually thought, ‘Boss, what are you doing? You’re supposed to be there in person.’ I can already imagine it. The doors open. The supporters walk in. The noise starts. Everyone is looking around at this incredible new stadium. And somewhere in the crowd is Sir Alex, sitting there with his arms crossed, probably watching the game and finding something wrong with our defending. Because that would be him. I remember playing for him and realising very quickly that he didn’t just manage football matches. He managed belief. You could be losing with five minutes left and everyone would start looking at the clock. Then you’d hear his voice. ‘Why are you looking at the clock?’ You’d say, ‘Because we’re losing, boss.’ And he’d say, ‘So?’ That one word could change the entire mood. He made you believe five minutes was enough. Ten minutes was enough. One attack was enough. One cross was enough. One mistake from the opponent was enough. That became Manchester United. And I think that’s why his statement about the new stadium is so emotional for me. Because he’s talking about a future he helped create. He won’t be the manager. He won’t be standing on the touchline. He won’t be shouting at the fourth official. But he’ll always be part of that club. When those supporters walk into that stadium, they’re walking into a Manchester United that Sir Alex helped build. The trophies. The mentality. The standards. The expectation that winning isn’t enough if you didn’t play properly. I remember times we’d win a game and everyone would be celebrating, but Sir Alex would walk into the dressing room and say, ‘That second half was rubbish.’ We’d look at each other like, ‘We just won.’ He’d say, ‘I know.’ That was the standard. And that’s what I hope the new stadium carries. Not just the history. The mentality. Because you can build a new stadium, but you can’t manufacture what Sir Alex gave Manchester United. That’s why I don’t want him there only in spirit. I want him there in person. I want him to walk through those doors. I want him to hear the supporters. I want him to look around and see the next generation wearing Manchester United shirts. I want him to see children whose parents probably grew up watching his teams. And I want him to realise that all those years weren’t just about trophies. They created memories that will live much longer than any stadium. If he sits there and the supporters start singing his name, I don’t know what he’ll do. Knowing Sir Alex, he’ll probably wave, smile for ten seconds and then ask why we’re playing so slowly. [Laughs] But that’s exactly why we need him there. Because Manchester United without Sir Alex will always be Manchester United. But Manchester United with Sir Alex sitting in the stands for that opening? That would be something special. So, boss, I know you said ‘in person or in spirit.’ But I’m going to disagree with you on this one. You’ve spent your whole career teaching us never to accept second best. So don’t accept being there in spirit. Be there in person. We want to see you walk through those doors. And when you do, we’ll make sure you hear exactly what you helped create.”

🚨 Kobbie Mainoo on the message David Beckham sent him: 🗣️ Kobbie Mainoo: “David messaged me after one of our games and I honestly didn’t know what to say at first. “He said, ‘Kobbie, I’ve been watching you. You’ve got something United players are supposed to have you don’t look scared of the shirt.’ “I thanked him and thought that was the end of it. “Then another message came. “He said, ‘I keep hearing people compare you with midfielders from the past. Scholes, Carrick, even me sometimes. Don’t listen to it.’ “I replied, ‘Why not?’ “He said, ‘Because the moment you start trying to become someone else, you stop becoming the player you’re supposed to be.’ “Then he said something that really caught me. “‘You’re playing for Manchester United at a time when everyone is desperate for the next superstar. Don’t rush to become one. Just become the player your team needs.’ “I asked him, ‘What would you do if you were me?’ “He replied, ‘Ask for the ball when everyone else is hiding.’ “That message stayed with me. “And then he finished with, ‘One more thing, Kobbie. If you ever score a goal that wins a big game at Old Trafford, don’t celebrate like you’ve made it.’ “‘Celebrate like you’ve just started.’ “I screenshotted that message. “Because when someone like David Beckham talks to you about Manchester United, you listen.”