Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has been full of praise for Michael Carrick and his Middlesbrough team.
Boro have been quietly impressing during pre-season in the build-up to the new campaign.
Middlesbrough’s 2024/25 Championship season will begin on August 10th versus Swansea City.
Prior to that, Michael Carrick has, so far, overseen three proper pre-season friendly fixtures with the Teessiders.
Delano Burgzorg scored his first-ever Middlesbrough goal as the North East outfit smashed Bolton Wanderers 3-0 to kick-off their run of friendlies.
Boro then travelled down the road for a meeting with Gateshead Town, whom they beat 1-0.
Middlesbrough’s most recent outing saw them face a trip to the Eco-Power Stadium for a clash with Doncaster Rovers.
Carrick put out a very strong eleven, indicating how Middlesbrough could line-up versus Swansea next weekend.
Doncaster Rovers boss heaps praise on Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick
Despite it still being the early stages of pre-season, Carrick’s Middlesbrough looked to be firing on all cylinders in their latest friendly.
Academy duo Sonny Finch and George McCormick were two of the standout performers on the day, but Boro on the whole were superb.
When all was said and done, Hayden Hackney, Finn Azaz, Riley McGree, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Finch found the net to hand Middlesbrough a 5-3 win.
Now, after seeing his side dominated by Boro, Doncaster boss Grant McCann has been full of praise of Carrick and his ‘ruthless’ Middlesbrough team, as per Teesside Live.
He said: “You can see Middlesbrough are a very good team with a really good manager who I know well from my time at West Ham.
“The boys today got a look at the quality in the Championship, how ruthless they are going forward.
“You can see the sharpness and how quickly they can just give and go. It’s a different world, the Championship.”
How Michael Carrick has transformed Middlesbrough
Carrick arrived at the Riverside Stadium in October 2022 following the departure of Chris Wilder.
Prior to the former midfielder linking up with Boro, the North East outfit were undergoing an identity crisis.
Middlesbrough had struggled for any sort of constant style and form under several previous managers including Wilder, Tony Pulis, and Neil Warnock.
This constant changing of managers and lack of a clear vision greatly hindered Boro’s squad.
But Carrick has brought a clear plan and style of play to the Teessiders, which has been reflected in their form.
Chuba Akpom was a great example of a player who benefited from the ex-Manchester United man’s appointment.
The striker had previously floundered at the club but in Carrick’s first season, scored 29 goals.
The likes of Hackney and Latte Lath continue to thrive in the manager’s attack-minded system and big things are expected of Boro in the coming campaign.