Can Carrick Carry?
By Grace Allen and David Best
Enter Michael Carrick, also known as Manchester United’s saving grace. Extinguishing the flame of Ruben Amorim’s ‘firing’ exit and transforming United, in just less than a month, from zero to hero. Out with Amorim’s extreme tactical complexity. No more wingbacks, no more inside 10’s. In with good old-fashioned, proper Manchester United football. Carrick’s four-for-four win rate has trumped the looming low expectations fans had for his sudden managerial stint.
Expectations around Carrick were deliberately low. His past managerial experience at the top level was limited, shaped by a brief interim spell at United back in December of 2021 [1] and a mixed, ultimately unsuccessful stint at Middlesbrough starting from October 2022 and leading to his departure in June 2025 [2]. After failing to secure promotion, Carrick was widely viewed as a ‘stopgap appointment’, rather than a long-term solution. Combined with scepticism around United’s repeated reliance on former players stepping into leadership roles, as well as a squad already low on confidence, few expected immediate or sustained improvement, particularly given that before Carrick’s appointment, United had taken just one point from games against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham.
When the ball is at the feet of a Red, United morph into a counterattacking 4-2-3-1 formation. So far, United have (of course) seen the Portuguese Magnifico Bruno Fernandes return to his native central 10 role, as well as Amad moving back up the margin into his favoured right wing position instead of wingback. However, this is where Carrick’s tactical expertise and player profiling ability have truly shone through. One would have expected the left wing and striker positions to have been taken by Cunha and Sesko. Instead, it has been Dorgu and Mbeumo who have taken the spots. What seemed at first to be a questionable decision, has proven to be a stroke of brilliance.
Especially the role of Dorgu. Having been used by Amorim as a wingback in all but a couple of matches, he scored his first goal for the club when United briefly played as a back 4 against Newcastle on Boxing Day when he played as a right winger. Since Amorim’s departure he has played only in the left wing position and has had his best run of form so far. With an assist against Burnley and two fantastic goals against City and Arsenal, he is truly hitting his stride under Carrick.
When possession is lost United revert in to a classic 4-4-2 mid/low block depending on the situation. This has proven to be very effective as having two front men leading the press with two tenacious, fast and extremely hard working wide men in Dorgu and Amad produces a higher amount of turnovers in possession than Amorim’s more passive 5-4-1 defensive block. This leads to more opportunities for fast breaks and counter attacks.
This was proven in what can only be described as pure tactical genius from Carrick. In the derby clash with City, Rayan Cherki had a free kick about 30 yards from goal after 60 minutes. Just a two man wall was erected to block it, Mbeumo and Fernandes. Why? Why on earth would you put the two smallest players in the defensive wall? This is why. The ball is floated in, Maguire meets it with an expert defensive header out to Mbeumo. Mbeumo graceful touches it down and across to Bruno, now the break is in. Within the space of 5 seconds, City went from an offensive set-piece goal-scoring opportunity to having Mbeumo speeding down the centre, Bruno behind him with the ball, Amad and Dorgu on their bikes racing up the flanks. Bruno then just touches the ball an inch to his right to drag City centre back Khusanov just slightly out of position, creating 3 extra yards for Mbeumo, then places the perfect throughball that is met with a highly accomplished finish into the bottom right corner. That is how you counterattack.
This approach shaped the remainder of the contest. City dominated possession with 64 per cent of the ball, yet struggled to turn that control into meaningful chances, generating just 0.22 expected goals. United, by contrast, were far more efficient, creating higher-quality opportunities despite seeing less of the ball. Possession belonged to City, but control belonged to United. Compact defensive organisation paired with decisive, well-timed counter-attacks defined a side rediscovering clarity, confidence and purpose under Carrick.
Whether Carrick’s interim spell becomes a more permanent solution remains to be seen, but its early success has already exposed deeper truths about Manchester United’s recent instability – clarity, trust and simplicity can still produce immediate impact at a club often overwhelmed by its own complexity. The question now is whether the club will build on this winning momentum or take it for granted.
References
Images
https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/michael-carrick
