Ruben Amorim's stubborn stance to play 3-4-3 despite not having players suitable to match the system made the club finish 15th last season their worst in Premier League history and bow out of League Cup 2nd round to Grimsby Town this season. Since that defeat he has brought in ideas to tweak the system tactically, player performances improved, United beat Chelsea and Liverpool, did lose to City, Brentford, Everton, and did drew 3 games before playing Newcastle. But still team was setup as 3-4-3. Both Amorim and club maintained that no player transfer would be possible in January. Then Antoine Semenyo became available. Club pursued this as a market opportunity as he was considered as a long-term target.
Initial talks revealed Semenyo's fear of being asked to play defensively as wing-back and not as an attacking winger. To show tactical flexibility to adapt in case Semenyo joins United, in their next game against Newcastle they played 4-4-2 and won 1-0 with great first half performance. Semenyo chose to join City and not United. In the next two matches United reverted to 3-4-3 and drew both with underwhelming performances due to missing key players like Mbeumo, Amad, Mazzraoui who were playing in AFCON. In the press conference before the Leeds game Amorim took aim at Director of Football Jason Wilcox "I just want to say that I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach. Every department - the scouting department, the sport director - needs to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months, and then we move on."
After the draw to Leeds he reasserted his stance of being Manager and not Head Coach which was completely inaccurte based on official press release of his appointment on 1st November, 2024. On 5th January, Amorim was relieved of his duties. Board had not lined up a replacement so asked Darren Fletcher to manage games against Burnley (drew 2-2) and Brighton (lost 1-2 in FA Cup 3rd round). Out of both Cup competitions in the first hurdle means United will only play 40 games this season! Fewest games since 1981-82 when they finished 3rd in the league under Ron Atkinson. It was then decided to appoint an interim manager till the end of the season as most big names like Ancelotti, Tuchel, Nagelsmann were occupied with respective National teams for the summer World Cup. United asked three ex-players Solskjaer, van Nistelrooy and Carrick to meet. Club chose to appoint Michael Carrick.
Club statement reads "Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Carrick as head coach of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025/26 season." It does not mention the word 'interim' anywhere. Wilcox can be credited for securing the services of experienced deputy to Gareth Southgate with England and eight successful years at Chelsea, in Steve Holland. Carrick and Holland's first game was the local Manchester derby. They balanced the inherent flaw of a weak midfield by switching to 4-2-3-1. Started Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, both coming back from injury. Academy graduate Mainoo who was ignored by Amorim, partnered Casemiro in midfield and provided good cover to the veteran. In form Dorgu played as a winger and scored, while Cunha came off the bench to provide an assist. United beat City 2-0 at Old Trafford and majority of 76,000 fans were ecstatic.
Michael Carrick replaced Roy Keane in the heart of United midfield and it can be argued he was considered more technical. United fans rate 2008 Champions' League team higher than 1999 team. Nothing will ever surpass the 1968 triumphant team that defines what the club stands for. 1968 then 2008 then 1999. 464 games played and 11 major trophies. Carrick started his journey as a coach under Jose Mourinho and continued under Solskjaer then became caretaker for 3 games. He then managed Middlesbrough and took them to play-offs. Formed a strong bond with his deputy there in Jonathan Woodgate. Carrick's grounded nature shone through as he directly spoke of "my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing."
Fans compare Carrick to Arteta, both gifted midfielders and about the same age. Carrick has played under Sir Alex Ferguson while Arteta has played under Arsene Wenger. Carrick got his initiation into coaching under Jose Mourinho albeit for a short time, while Arteta under Pep Guardiola. For the next game against Arsenal, Arteta clearly has had more time to create a formidable XI to challenge for league title and start as favourites. Carrick is methodical by nature, was a legendary player, cut his teeth in the tough Championship, got the backing of Wilcox who has created a strong backroom staff to help him succeed at Manchester United. For sure there will be tough times but the managerial position is Carrick's to lose. Fans happy to see the club return to its roots.
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