The weeks pass, and so do the Manchester United coaches. Was Rúben Amorim still in charge at the start of the new year? On January 5, Darren Fletcher took over for an eight-day interim period. Eventually, Michael Carrick found himself at the bedside of Red Devils in very bad shape upon arriving on January 13th. And there was light: United have just won three times in the Premier League, and not against just anyone. The derby against Manchester City? In the pocket. A trip to leader Arsenal? Not even afraid. Fulham, one of the itchy spots in the championship? Won again. A promising series, both in substance and in form.
Kobbie Mainoo, symbol of a new era
Michael Carrick arrived when Manchester United had just completed three draws against three of the weakest teams in the Premier League – Wolverhampton (1-1), Leeds (1-1) and Burnley (2-2) – and suffered elimination from the FA Cup as soon as they entered the competition, at Old Trafford against Brighton (1-2). The sky was very gray, then. But in two weeks, United knocked down three teams from the top 8 of the championship (including the first two) to finally bring back the sun. Beginner’s luck? Not necessarily. Carrick didn’t revolutionize anything, but he restored order. And that’s already a lot.
On the tactical level, first: no more 3-4-2-1, and return to a more conventional 4-2-3-1. With a returner as a pillar of the midfield: Kobbie Mainoo. Rúben Amorim let the nugget gather dust, Michael Carrick immediately decided to revive it by offering him his first starts of the season in the Premier League. Immediate success, to the point that the transfer rumors evaporated. The new boss also chose to send Benjamin Šeško to the bench, even though he had three goals in two games. He also reinstalled Bruno Fernandes in number 10, where Amorim sometimes played him lower. Strong and effective decisions, which made it possible to put back the Red Devils on the right track.
Top 4 objective
Rúben Amorim had left an impression with his volcanic character and his nervousness? Michael Carrick stands out with his calm and apparent serenity, faithful to the player he was. And this is not trivial. As a good manager, the Englishman managed to instill confidence in his men who made a brilliant demonstration of it from his first against a totally overwhelmed City. There is obviously still work to be done, as evidenced by the two goals conceded this Sunday in the money time. But like at the Emirates, the Mancuniens pulled away at the end to get the result they wanted. Which says a lot about their state of mind, and their appetite. « We can do better and we still have a lot to offer in different aspects of the game, we have only been together for three weeksrecalled Carrick, at a press conference. Three wins in a row is good. But we want more, and hopefully we can win games a little easier. But somehow, when it happens like that, it makes you feel like it’s more than just a victory. »
“That’s the moments this place brings” ❤️🏟️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2026
One thing is certain: if the mastery is not yet there, Michael Carrick has rekindled the flame. So much the better because Manchester United only has the championship left to play, with a clear objective: to return to the Champions League, which the club has only played in once in the last four seasons. THE Red Devils are currently fourth under pressure from Chelsea and Liverpool, two rivals who are gaining strength. It’s not won, but the red house has already regained some color. Michael Carrick thus became the third manager in United’s history to win his first three Premier League matches, after José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær. A good reason to hope, the Portuguese and the Norwegian having one thing in common: they both experienced the Champions League on the Mancunian bench. Even if for this you have to prepare the mower.
Manchester United snatch victory against Fulham and continue their crazy comeback
