Chuba Akpom on Michael Carrick’s help: ‘He’s the manager I’ve been dreaming of’

Middlesbrough star Chuba Akpom has hailed former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick after scoring his 28th goal of the season in Wednesday evening’s 3-1 win over Hull City at the Riverside.

Akpom’s career resurrection under Carrick at Middlesbrough is one of the stories of the season. Prior to Carrick’s appointment, the Nigerian had not even been awarded a shirt number by former Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder.

Akpom has scored 24 goals in 28 games since the former United midfielder arrived, adding to the four he had already bagged under Wilder and The 27-year-old cost Middlesbrough £2.5m in 2020, struggling to make an impact in his first campaign before being loaned to PAOK in Greece for the 2021/22 season.

Despite returning under Wilder, he only began finding his goal-scoring touch this season under Carrick, and he was gushing in his praise for his boss after setting a Championship record on Wednesday in a 3-1 win against Hull.

“I think he’s the manager I’ve been dreaming of my whole career,” Akpom told Sky Sports, after he became the first player ever to score in nine consecutive Championship home games on Wednesday.

“Honestly, he’s just a pleasure to work with him. I go out there and I give 110 percent and I want to fight for the manager because he’s shown so much trust and confidence in me.

“I really appreciate it, so I just had to dedicate that to the gaffer. Immediately when he came in, he put me in a 10 role and he just gave me the license to roam around.

“You see on the pitch I’m just roaming right to left and he’s given me that freedom to go out there and express myself. I appreciate that so much.”