Manchester United captain Michael Carrick issues warning to Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof
Red Devils skipper says the club can devour any player who is unable to handle the pressure
MICHAEL CARRICK describes Manchester United as a “beast of a club” that can devour a player who cannot handle the pressure.
Juan Sebastian Veron, a star for Lazio, is an example of a top footballer who struggled to cope with a move to one of the world’s giants.
Carrick was struck by the huge step up from Tottenham to United before winning a hat-trick of titles straight off and five in all.
After 11 years at Old Trafford, he has been made captain and is ready to help new and young players handle the expectation that comes with a move to Manchester.
Carrick, 35, said: “It’s difficult to explain how different it can be until you go through it.
“It’s a beast of a football club. There’s responsibility, pressure and expectation — and that’s only off the pitch.
“So when you get on the pitch it's a different ball game as well.
“Big players have come here and it hasn’t worked. They haven’t been able to deal with it.
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“So I’ll just try to help the new faces and younger lads."
Paul Pogba won four Scudettos with Juventus, so returned to United last summer with expectations ramped up by his new status as the world’s most expensive player at £89million.
He endured an up-and-down season, with his every performance scrutinised closely, but Carrick is convinced we will see the best of him now.
Carrick said: “You’re going to take knocks but you have to be strong enough to get on with the job.
“Paul is a confident lad so he’s going to be a great player for us and have a big season this season.
“He’s had a year to adjust, I know he was here as a kid but a lot has gone on since then.
“So to come back with all the scrutiny he had last year, it was always going to be one of those years where you take time to settle in. We’ve seen an improvement and we’ll see it again next season.”
Carrick sees Pogba as a future United captain and added: “He’s certainly got the presence, character and belief to pull it off.”
Meanwhile, the former Tottenham midfielder had a pop at the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for celebrating finishing in the top four.
He said: “The title is what we’ve got to aim for.
“Some clubs see the top four like winning a trophy but it’s all about winning things.”
