Former United midfielder Carrick takes charge of the club for the third, and final, time for the visit of Arsenal on Thursday night with the German expected to be watching from the stands.
Rangnick’s reputation for a pressing style of play has led to speculation that the 36-year-old veteran will not be able to function in the new-look United style.
Carrick, however, insists that is not the case. “Maybe it is a myth, maybe that is how it is,” Carrick said. “He has played in enough teams down the years, Cristiano.
“And he has been successful to play a variety of ways, and has kept scoring goals for every team he has played for.
“So I am sure he will continue to score goals. I have no doubt about that.”
Carrick also repeated his defence of the decision to axe the Portuguese from his starting selection at Stamford Bridge – while refusing to indicate whether he will start against Arsenal.
“There are a lot of things that you have to take into consideration when you are making a decision on picking the team,” he said.
“There’s fitness, tiredness, freshness, tactics, personality and characters within that, so it seems like it’s a big thing or a big decision but, between us, it wasn’t.
“And if you ask Cristiano, the way he responded was perfection really. Around the dressing room he was incredible. He supported the players.
“At half time when I went in and was doing my half time team talk, he was warming up ten minutes in advance, ready to come in the second half so I think a lot can be made of it and it can be spun in a negative way.
“But the reality behind the scenes is that it’s very different.”
Carrick also insisted he has not yet been given any assurances about his own future under Rangnick although it is expected that he, and other senior coaches from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s old staff, will remain in place.
The former England star also claimed that United’s players are looking forward to working with the highly-regarded German.
“Players adapt, there’s different skills and styles you have to have,” Carrick added.
“We have played different styles since we came here. Ralf has a terrific pedigree over a long period of time and had good success with that so I am sure that the players are looking forward to the days and weeks ahead.”
Edinson Cavani remains unavailable with an on-going leg injury.
Man Utd’s predicted team (4-3-1-2): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Telles; Matic, Fred, McTominay; Fernandes; Sancho, Ronaldo
Mikel Arteta could only confirm that the Gunners are waiting on the outcome of a scan. Gabriel Martinelli will be pushing for a start in attack after scoring with one of his first touches following his introduction against the Magpies.
Nuno Tavares impressed at the weekend and could retain his place at left-back ahead of Kieran Tierney.
Granit Xhaka (knee) and Sead Kolasinac (ankle) are both long-term absentees.
Arsenal’s predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares; Partey, Lokonga; Martinelli, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3demY2m
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