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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stephen Killen

Ex-Man United coach Kieran McKenna on Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer influence at Ipswich

Former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are Ipswich Town fans after the pair were spotted at their win over Doncaster Rovers.

The former Reds manager and his temporary successor were spotted together for the first time since their departures from Old Trafford in November and December, respectively.

Solskjaer saw his tenure doomed after a dismal run was compounded following their defeat to relegation-threatened Watford.

Former England midfielder Carrick took charge and steered United back on course with a win over Arsenal and a share of the spoils against Chelsea, plus the win over Villarreal which secured Champions League qualification.

"They're obviously two fantastic football men, two Champions League winners, but two good friends and two Ipswich Town fans now," McKenna explained, via East Anglian Daily Times.

"They've been following all the games on iFollow and I think they're hoping to come down to Portman Road at some point too.

"They came to the hotel this afternoon and met some of the players and staff. It was nice of them to make the journey and I really appreciate it.

"They're two colleagues, but two friends as well.

"We're in contact speaking about football and other things as well.

"They're very supportive of both me and Martyn (Pert) as well. It's two new fans for Ipswich Town, which is nice."

McKenna has made a successful start to first-team management after swapping the Reds for Ipswich.

He left his role within days of Ralf Rangnick's tenure, after seeing his start delayed due to visa issues, taking over at Portman Road in light of Paul Cook's sacking.

However, his impact in League One has become apparent as his side boast one of the best records in the English Football League (EFL) since he took charge of his first game.

After bouts with COVID postponements during the festive period, his first game in charge came towards the end of December as they kick-started their run with a win over Wycombe.

Since then they have won six, including a 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers this week with former United bosses Carrick and Solskjaer in attendance.

In eight games, the Tractor Boys have won six, losing the other two seeing them within six points off Gareth Ainsworth's side and Oxford United who are level on points in the final two play-off positions.

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