Michael Carrick says he has enjoyed regular chats with Alex Ferguson and appreciated the advice of his former boss, ahead of taking over as Middlesbrough manager.
Carrick was unveiled as Boro manager this week, his first permanent role in management, after a brief caretaker spell at last season.
It is a big job for his first as a full-time boss, with Middlesbrough struggling in 21st in the Championship, with much loftier ambitions that fighting a relegation battle in the second tier.
The former England midfielder says his old manager is helping him, though, and they have been talking regularly with the Scot imparting plenty of wisdom on his former player.
‘I spoke to Sir Alex a few times. I’ve spoken to him more since I stopped playing – I didn’t want to get too close to him when I was a player,’ Carrick told a press conference after being unveiled as Boro boss.
‘I spoke to him a lot. It’s well documented that he has a real pride and a care about ex-players progressing and being coaches, managers and takes a real pride and care in helping them as well.
‘He’s certainly done that to me and I really appreciate the advice he’s given me.’
Carrick, who played 464 times for United, winning five Premier League titles and one Champions League, says Ferguson’s influence on him was huge, changing his career and life.
‘I thought I knew football to a point until I got to United, and it taught me a whole different way of living, breathing, how to play football, how to win, and it all stemmed from the boss,’ said the 41-year-old.
‘He was a huge, huge influence, improved my game, made me a better person in all sorts of different ways, so I’ve got a lot to thank him for.’
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