Manchester United stand at a pivotal juncture. The club’s storied history demands not just tactical competence, but a manager who embodies its values, vision, and identity. In Michael Carrick, United have stumbled across such a candidate, who combines an intimate understanding of the club’s culture with the acumen and stature necessary to achieve sustained success.
As a player, Carrick was the heartbeat of the midfield during one of the club’s most successful eras, wearing the jersey 464 times and winning five Premier League titles, a Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Beyond the silverware, he epitomised composure, intelligence, and adaptability – qualities that he will need as he seeks to restore United’s battered reputation.
His years under Sir Alex Ferguson, one of football’s greatest managers, would have provided him with a blueprint for leadership, man-management, and a club culture that cannot easily be imbibed without living it.
Since moving into coaching, Carrick has demonstrated his ability. During a brief caretaker stint in the 2021-22 season, he stabilised a struggling squad, achieved notable victories and showcased a calm and methodical approach. He isn’t tactically inflexible, though the core philosophy is based on possession, clever movement off the ball, and a cohesive unit. As he said recently, “The biggest thing is understanding the club, understanding the players, and being able to bring out the best in them.”
One of the big criticisms of Ruben Amorim was how he had scant regard for the academy and young players coming through – such an integral part of the United narrative. Carrick spent Saturday morning watching the U-16s. Kobbie Mainoo has been reintegrated into the playing XI under his watch, and other youngsters too have been assured of the roles they’ll have to play in coming months.
Most importantly, for the thousands of hardcore fans at the Stretford End and around the world, Carrick has released the handbrake. For the best part of two seasons now, the team have been unwatchable, playing a turgid, uninspired brand of football, a world apart from the buccaneering teams that Carrick was part of.
Against both Manchester City and Arsenal, United had much less of the ball – 32 per cent and 43 – but they always looked the more dangerous team. In Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, United have two front men who make intelligent, darting runs and are extremely comfortable on the ball. With Bruno Fernandes restored to a more creative role instead of being asked to play as a No. 6, United looked really dangerous each time they sprung forward.
The new-manager bounce is something real. United fans had previously seen it under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and that proved a false dawn. But Carrick, raised in the working-class Northeast, is as tough as they come, even if he shows next to no anger or negative emotion on the touchline. Amorim lost some players with his public criticism. Carrick will ensure that any dressing downs are down in house.
So far, very little thought has gone into what Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his think-tank have done since taking over football operations. Getting rid of Dan Ashworth was a monumental error, especially now that we know he was right. These men can now salvage their reputations by stopping the wild goose chase for Oliver Glasner or Roberto De Zerbi, and by backing Carrick to the hilt. He gets United, in a way that no outsider ever will.
Wayne Rooney, who played alongside him for a decade, put it best. “The change in Manchester United over a two-game period is incredible,” he said on his podcast. “Michael and his coaches deserve a lot of praise for that. Just putting an attitude into the players and a focus, and a togetherness into them which, if we’re honest, we didn’t see under Ruben Amorim.
“Manchester United went there believing they could win the game. They didn’t create a whole lot of chances, but you always felt they had a good control of the game.”
There will be rough patches in the months ahead, but if Carrick is given the support he needs, the seasons of discontent may finally come to an end.
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