It’s been five games since Michael Carrick took over as caretaker head coach of Manchester United for the rest of the season after Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties in the Old Trafford dugout.
In the five games, we have seen four wins and a draw, a very impressive feat which has left us United fans with a positive mindset of Champions League football next season and even the possibility of pushing Aston Villa for third spot. Something we could not have dreamed of after dropping points against Wolves and Leeds towards the end of the festive period.
Impressive victories against Man City, Arsenal, Fulham, Tottenham and a credible draw away to West Ham have surely put Carrick in contention to be given the role on a full-time basis next season and I don’t think you will find many United fans who won’t agree. The players seem to be more confident on the ball, playing well together as a team and creating a lot more chances and goals since the end of the dreaded 3-4-2-1 reign under the Portuguese Amorim.
Carrick has brought something back that’s been missing for a long time — calm, control, and proper Manchester United football. No drama, no overcomplicated systems, just players trusting the ball and trusting each other again. You can feel the belief returning in the stands and across the fanbase, and it’s reminded a lot of us why Carrick has always been one of the most underrated figures of the modern United era.
The players have already commented on how Carrick gives them the freedom to make their own choices on the pitch, and his substitutes have contributed a decent number of goals already — especially when you consider Amorim’s substitutes scored no goals this season.
There are now twelve games remaining this season with Liverpool at Old Trafford being the standout fixture. Let’s hope Carrick can continue his unbeaten run until May 24th and bring Champions League nights back to Old Trafford next season where we belong.
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