Sir Alex Ferguson To Return As Manchester United Manager For Michael Carrick Testimonial

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to return to the dugout at Old Trafford this summer as manager of Manchester United for midfielder Michael Carrick’s testimonial game against the Red Devils.

Alex Ferguson to Return as Manchester United Boss for Michael Carrick Game

The game is scheduled for June 4th at Old Trafford, with former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp in charge of Carrick’s All-Star starting eleven.

That team will include players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs. and Michael Owen.

Ferguson will lead a squad comprising of players from United’s 2008 team that won the Premier League and Champions League that season. The 75-year-old former Red Devils boss won 38 trophies during his time in charge of the team, retired in 2013 after leading United to its 20th top-flight title.

Carrick was signed by Ferguson in 2006, and went on to play more than 300 games for the club and win five league titles: the FA Cup, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, and the league cup twice.

Current United manager Jose Mourinho recently stated he has encouraged Sir Alex to travel with the first team to games, and has also invited his predecessor to join players in the dressing room.

Mourinho said, as quoted by the Daily Mirror: “After I arrived, he came in again. He came back to visit the people he worked with for so many years. And he travelled with us once again.

“And that’s what I said to him, ‘It doesn’t make sense that we’re playing in London and go on a private train and you, Sir Alex, will go by car. You’re not going by car. No. Go by train, with the team’.

“But he is so respectful that he becomes even a little shy in this approach. We have to make him feel loved.”

Carrick’s situation with the Red Devils, meanwhile, remains uncertain. The 35-year-old’s contract expires this summer, and no new deal has yet been reached.

The former Tottenham and West Ham midfielder has stated he would like to retire should he not be offered a contract extension by United, for whom he has played for over 10 years.

United won their Premier League game at Middlesbrough on Sunday 3-1. They next host West Brom on April 1 for another Premier League matchup.

The Red Devils also announced Monday that they are planning a tour to the United States this July ahead of the 2017-18 Premier League season. The team will play games in five cities, four of which have been announced: Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C. The fifth city will be announced soon.

United did not confirm details of dates, opposition or venues in a statement on their official website, although they are expected to play some fixtures as part of the preseason International Champions Cup (ICC) tournament.

The Red Devils previously played in the ICC in the U.S. in 2014 and in 2015, when they played Barcelona and PSG at NFL stadiums.

SWANSEA, WALES – NOVEMBER 06: United player Michael Carrick in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium on November 6, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena