TWO STARS of Manchester United’s final title-winning side go from midfield partners to Championship rivals on Saturday.
Red Devils legend Michael Carrick, 43, and Tom Cleverley, 35, go head-to-head nearly 150 miles away from the Old Trafford pitch they graced under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Eric Steele was United’s goalkeeper coach during Fergie’s last few seasons in charge and got to know both the current Middlesbrough and Watford managers both on and off the pitch.
The 70-year-old, who also worked for Man City and England during his time at the FA, says he always felt that Carrick was destined for the dug-out.
He told SunSport: “If you looked around the dressing-room then I’d have said you could see Darren Fletcher going into it, certainly Michael. The way he played, top player, the way he thought and cared about the game – so Michael more so than Tom.
“The nice thing about working where we worked at Manchester United is that you got to meet a lot of good and nice people and Michael, as a Geordie, is naturally going to be a good lad.
“I know his family well and his dad, Vince, all the way through Wallsend Boys Club for years.
“They are good, genuine people who care and the thing that I like is that they have a love for the game or they wouldn’t be doing it.
“Michael is very much inclusive with his staff, the decision-making, and has good people around him. He takes precedent when he’s going to step in.
“He’s still very much a young coach finding his way. It’s been a tough upbringing so far at Middlesbrough but all credit to him.”
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Steele now works as a radio pundit covering Derby County and that has led to him catching-up with both men recently.
He said: “I met up with Tom before Derby played Watford in August and it was brilliant.
“A great insight into how he wants to play, coach and it was a lovely surprise because he is a good guy. He’s got the game at heart and wants to do it his way.
“I was really impressed with how he set the team up and changed things tactically in the second half.
“Then, a week later I met up with Michael before Derby hosted Middlesbrough, so I’ve been in touch with both of them this season.
“They’ve probably both been real students of the game which I perhaps didn’t realise just how much so at the time.”
Carrick is, remarkably, the third-longest serving boss in the Championship having taken charge of Boro just under two years ago.
He led them from fighting relegation to the play-offs during his first season but missed out on the top six last term by six points last term.
Cleverley, meanwhile, took over permanently after a short stint as interim in the summer.
His team go into this clash sitting eighth, a point and a position behind Boro.
It was a brave move by him to accept the job as the Hornets’ 11th permanent boss since Javi Gracia departed in September 2019.
Steele said: “Watford’s actual success, or failure, whichever way you want to look at it, the number of managers they have had is quite large. You must be constantly looking over your shoulder.
“But when I spoke to Tom he was very much determined to do things his way. He knew the squad and he has a good blend of pace, power, and very fit physically.”
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Carrick is eight years older than the man who will be in the opposition technical area today, but the combined ages of the pair is still short of the man that shaped their careers at the Theatre of Dreams.
And the two former England internationals both know that the 82-year-old legendary Fergie is never far away if they need some more of his guidance.
Steele said: “The great man is always there to support any of the players. Any of them that have gone into management or coaching know they always have the support of Sir Alex.
“I’m sure he’ll have spoken to both of them when they got their jobs.
“It’s unbelievable for them both. If they have any problems or any doubts, they know they can pick up the phone to one of the very greatest that the game has known.”
Steele refuses to risk upsetting either one when pressed for a prediction, but he is just as intrigued as Sir Alex will undoubtedly be to see who comes out on top.
He added: “It will be a really good contest when they face Boro. I just hope that it will be a good game.
“Isn’t it great that you have two ex-Manchester United midfield players going head-to-head tactically.
“It’s refreshing for me seeing these young managers coming in and I think it will be a great contest and may the best coach win.”
