Michael Carrick receives olive branch from Ole Gunnar Solskjær after he beat him to Manchester United job

Carrick, who played under Sir Alex Ferguson, took over from his former team-mate and fellow midfielder Darren Fletcher in the Old Trafford dugout.

Carrick and Solskjær have a close relationship, having previously worked together during Solskjær's tenure as manager.

The Manchester United manager said: "I spoke to him. I’m close (to him). We've been through a lot together, so he's been fully supportive, as you'd expect."

"He's some man and I respect him an awful lot. He wished us all the best and he was happy that we got the right result."

Asked if he would seek advice from Solskjaer, Carrick added: "You have conversations and I've got a lot of friends in places that I can pick on if I need to.

"I'm not one that bothers a lot of people, to be honest. But he's certainly there if ever I need him."

The comments come hours before the 13-time Premier League champions face Arsenal at the Emirates, who currently sit top of the table.

In his tenure as caretaker after Solskjaer was sacked in 2021, Carrick beat Mikel Arteta's side.

During that brief three-match spell, he secured victories in two fixtures, with the third ending in a draw.

He said: "Games from three or four years ago, it's done, it's in the past."

Carrick added: "So as much as the experience helps you in certain moments, I think it’s a totally different game.

"I think the confidence I'm taking into the game is what we've seen since I've been here, between me and my staff, in terms of the game itself, training and how the boys were gone about it."

Upon his appointment to the iterm role, the former player described the role as an "honour".

He said: "I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.

Carrick added: "I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.

"There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves."

The Wallsend-born coach transitioned seamlessly from player to staff member at United, initially joining Jose Mourinho's backroom team upon hanging up his boots at the conclusion of the 2017/18 campaign.

He subsequently remained on the coaching staff throughout Solskjaer's 168-game reign as permanent manager.

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