According to a post by Fabrizio Romano on X on Friday, October 23, 2026, former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has stressed that the club must remain bigger than any individual, including its players and managers.

Carrick made the remarks while reflecting on the values that have shaped Manchester United, pointing to the influence of former managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby.

The former England international insisted that the club's identity and traditions must take precedence over personal interests, regardless of the individuals occupying important positions within the organisation.

“This club will always be bigger than any individuals, me or the players,” Carrick said.

He also praised Ferguson, who managed Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, describing the Scot as the greatest manager of all time in his personal assessment. Carrick highlighted Ferguson's commitment to putting the club first throughout his tenure.

“Sir Alex Ferguson the greatest of all time for me, his priority was Man United,” he added.

Ferguson led United through one of the most successful periods in the club's history, winning 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies, alongside several domestic and international honours.

Carrick also acknowledged the legacy of Busby, another influential figure in Manchester United's history. Busby managed the club across two spells and helped rebuild the team following the 1958 Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players.

Reflecting on the resilience shown during that period, Carrick said the determination displayed by Busby and those associated with the club should never be forgotten.

“Sir Matt Busby and the resilience they showed was beyond belief. You can't lose that and I won't let us lose it,” he said.

Busby's rebuilding efforts eventually culminated in Manchester United becoming the first English club to win the European Cup, defeating Benfica 4–1 in the 1968 final at Wembley.

Carrick's comments underline the importance he places on preserving the club's history, resilience and collective identity. His reference to both Ferguson and Busby connects two defining eras of United's development, highlighting the responsibility of future generations to maintain the standards established by those who came before them.

The former midfielder's message is that Manchester United's long-term identity must remain central, regardless of changes in personnel, leadership or sporting circumstances.