Carrick’s emotional farewell to Manchester United

Michael Carrick wanted to say “goodbye” to Manchester United in his own way.

The legendary midfielder, who had been coaching the “Red Devils” for the past few months, has left the team and posted a special and touching message to the fans on his Instagram account.

“This love will never die,” Carrick said, among other things, describing his time on the bench of his beloved team as a privilege.

Here is what he wrote in full:

“Dear United fans,

I’ve had the immense privilege of leading Manchester United, the soccer team I love. Very few people get to experience and feel this, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

With that comes a huge responsibility, and to be at Manchester United, you have to understand exactly what that means. It’s different from anywhere else.

Ultimately, you have to push yourself to be the best, but there’s a culture, there are values and behaviors that you have to live by and respect—ones that have been built up over time.

It’s a unique soccer club, with a legacy and history that cannot be ignored. That’s what inspired me every day. I want to say a big thank you to the fans.

I have to say that you are a special, rare breed. We shared wonderful moments this year and experienced events that we will all remember. The best part of my job was seeing so many of you get swept up in the emotion of those moments, leaving the stadium eager to come back again next time.

I just wanted to give something back to you. That love never dies.

I know we haven’t had the results we wanted lately, but you’ve shown me nothing but love and support at times when the easiest thing— and what most people would have done, would have been to turn their backs.

That means so much more than one or two wins. That’s what makes you who you are. That’s why I fell in love with this club so many years ago.

A special thank you to my coaching staff. You gave me everything you had, every day, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I am incredibly grateful for your dedication, hard work, and support throughout this journey.

To all the staff behind the scenes, thank you for everything you do for this club. So much of your work goes unnoticed, but it is never unappreciated.
And to the players, thank you for your efforts and the moments we’ve shared. I wish you all the best for the future.

I want nothing less than success for Manchester United. This club has been such a big part of my life, and that will never change. I’ll always be proud to have played my part, and I’ll always want the best for the club.

I’ll be there with you from now on, watching from the sidelines and cheering on the kids. Michael.”

*photo source: AP