Manchester United: Fans and former teammates react to Michael Carrick leaving the club

Manchester United have bid farewell to Michael Carrick, who has stepped down from his role as caretaker manager following the 3-2 victory against Arsenal on Thursday night.

The 40-year-old has brought an end to his 15-year association with the club, with the arrival of new interim boss Ralf Ragnick, who will take the reins against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The former midfielder was named as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s temporary successor after the latter was given his marching orders following a 4-1 humbling by Watford earlier this month.

Carrick was unbeaten for all three games he took charge of in December with wins against Villarreal in the Champions League and Arsenal in midweek, as well as drawing away to table-topping Chelsea.

His time at the Red Devils ended in style after Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 800th and 801st career league goals to help United climb to seventh in the table.

Speaking to Gabriel Clarke, Carrick confirmed that it was his decision to leave the club as he looks ahead to more time spent with family: “It’s not been an easy decision to make, but I feel it’s the right one. I was meant to take some time off when I finished playing."

“I promised my family we’d have some time together and it hasn’t happened!

"I’ll be back around the place, it’s not like I’m disappearing. It’s just the right time, and what a way to finish. It’s 100 per cent my decision. We’ve worked so hard to try to bring some success here in recent years, and it’s difficult when you don’t quite get to those heights. But I’ll have great memories of working with great people”.

Fans and former teammates took to social media to bid their emotional farewells to Michael Carrick:

Ralf Rangnick is set to take charge of his first Manchester United game when Crystal Palace visit Old Trafford on Sunday. For full coverage from the game, see ManchesterWorld on Sunday.