Before Carrick took over the hot seat
Ruben Amorim, his predecessor, was steadfast in his commitment to the 3-4-2-1 formation and famously stated that "not even the Pope could make him change his mind."
Despite achieving relatively good results against big rivals like Liverpool, Man City, and Arsenal (3 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses), the Red Devils frequently suffer defeats against smaller teams (3 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses).
This inconsistency prevents the team from making a breakthrough, even though their defensive-minded and quick-combination style of play shows signs of improvement.
Amorim left Old Trafford in January 2026, after 14 turbulent months. Carrick was appointed interim manager, and he immediately brought a breath of fresh air – not with complexity, but with very ordinary things.
Carrick's pragmatic approach
Carrick focuses on building player confidence through ball control and quick transitions.
In their 2-0 victory over Man City, United showed clear confidence by escaping the pressing and moving forward. In the match against Arsenal, despite being under pressure for the first 30 minutes, the team recovered thanks to sharp passing and combination play.
Typical examples of this change include Patrick Dorgu combining with Bruno Fernandes before Fernandes unleashed a long-range shot to make it 2-1.
Hay Kobbie Mainoo controlled Fernandes' pass with one touch, beat Declan Rice, and then set up Matheus Cunha for the winning goal in the 87th minute, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory for United.
Make the most of your personal qualities.
Carrick's biggest difference lies in his ability to maximize the quality of his central midfielders. Instead of sacrificing one of Fernandes or Mainoo to strengthen the defense, Carrick kept all three key players – Fernandes, Mainoo, and Casemiro.
Kobbie Mainoo, previously hampered under Amorim, has returned to impressive form thanks to his ability to handle the ball under pressure. Casemiro, a key player in midfield, has also earned praise from the fans. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes continues his role as a creative leader, making his mark in both victories.
Furthermore, Carrick boldly adjusted Patrick Dorgu's position, moving him from left-back to winger. This daring decision immediately paid off, with Dorgu scoring against Man City and securing a starting spot against Arsenal.
Team spirit and cohesion
Carrick not only changed tactics, but also instilled team spirit. The appointment of Steve Holland – a long-time United fan – as assistant coach helped increase cohesion within the coaching staff. The sparse fixture schedule (only 40 games this season due to early elimination from the cup) also gave Carrick more time to train and build the system.
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens aptly summarized it: “There wasn’t much special that he did. Just sticking to the basics. Football is all about the basics. If you do them well, our quality will show.”
Belief returns to Old Trafford.
Following two dramatic victories, the atmosphere at Old Trafford had completely changed. The Emirates Stadium witnessed a frenzied celebration from United fans after Cunha's goal, with chants for Carrick and Casemiro echoing non-stop. Even Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the minority owner, smiled and gave a thumbs-up – a gesture that said it all.
Despite an impressive start, Carrick still needs to prove his ability to maintain his form against weaker opponents – where Amorim previously failed. Matches against Fulham, Tottenham, West Ham, Everton, and Crystal Palace will be a real test.
Lammens emphasized: “We know we can play well against stronger teams, so now we have to do that against tougher opponents… when they sit deep in defense. If you want to be a great team, you have to win those games.”