Carrick dismisses Butt's management reluctance claim as United players fear Amazon cameras are stifling dressing room honesty

Michael Carrick has publicly rejected claims made by club legend Nicky Butt that he was reluctant to return to management, insisting he feels a genuine “privilege” in his role at Old Trafford — even as separate reports suggest United’s players are concerned that documentary cameras are stifling honest conversations in the dressing room.

Butt, speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, recalled a conversation he had with Carrick before the 45-year-old was appointed United manager. “I was with Michael before he got the Man United job and spoke to him about management,” Butt said. “He went, ‘No it’s not for me, it’s too much. My head’s all over the show. I’d only do it for the big job.’ The big job is Man United.”

Carrick was swift to address the comments when they were raised at a press conference. “I definitely wouldn’t be here if that was the case, would I?” he said. “At this stage, it’s the best job I could possibly have. It’s the best role I could possibly have. I feel a real privilege of being in this position and a real responsibility, but equally a drive of wanting to make a difference and having success here.”

Carrick returned to Old Trafford in January and quickly lifted United up the table, earning the club a Champions League place. Momentum has since stalled in the early stages of the new campaign, despite the summer arrivals of midfielders Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

Adding to the scrutiny around the club, it has been reported that United’s involvement in Amazon Prime’s All or Nothing docuseries — which has previously featured Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur — is creating tension behind the scenes. According to The Sun, players are worried that the presence of cameras is causing “punches to be pulled” during post-match dressing room debriefs, potentially contributing to the team’s inconsistent form.

Carrick, however, appeared relaxed about the filming when asked about it in August. “That’s been fine,” he said, though his full response was not made available.