Michael Carrick has already beaten Mikel Arteta once, but this Arsenal side are a whole different beast, which is why Inter’s loss to them has just helped Carrick immensely.
The Man Utd managerial career of Michael Carrick so far is the stuff of legends, as he has beaten Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, and drawn against Thomas Tuchel in four games so far.
That win against Arteta came back in 2021/22, when the Spaniard was in the starting stages of his Arsenal project.
Is Manchester United’s XI stronger in 2026 or 2021?
This was the line-up Michael Carrick used to defeat Arsenal in his spell as interim manager
United/Arsenal 2021 graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
That side is worlds apart from the current one that just beat Inter at their home, and while that means the challenge is tougher, that game showed Carrick a crucial lesson.
Mikel Arteta, Head Coach of Arsenal FC, is present during the UEFA Champions League, League phase, MD7 football match between FC Internazionale and Arsenal FC at Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, on January 20, 2026
Photo by Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Arsenal’s win against Inter bodes well for Michael Carrick
On paper, Arsenal being the home team against United at this stage of Carrick’s project makes them the clear favourite.
United benefitted immensely from the energy of a derby game at Old Trafford against Man City, but neither of these is the case against Arsenal.
However, that might just suit United, because Arsenal’s win against Inter, and putting it in contrast to their struggle against Nottingham Forest the game before, showed a clear weak link in their armour.
More United News
Against Inter, Arsenal had 49% possession but created the better chances.
It was in stark contrast to their draw against Forest in the previous game, where they finished with 60% possession and zero goals.
Carrick doesn’t even have to look at these recent games, since Arsenal had just 39% possession against United when they came to Old Trafford to start the season.
Once we look at the games Arsenal have dropped points in, a clear pattern starts to emerge.
If a team can prevent a set-piece goal and cede possession to Arteta’s team, they are simply toothless in attack and vulnerable on transitions.
That’s the lesson Arsenal’s win against Inter confirmed again.
Carrick needs to add one layer to Man City’s gameplan
Arsenal’s weakness bodes well for Carrick because ceding possession and flying forward on transitions is how he managed to beat City.
With that part taken care of, the next is to avoid conceding a set-piece goal at all costs.
That was the undoing of United when Arsenal came to Old Trafford, as Altay Bayindir was bullied in the air despite his 6’6″ frame.
Senne Lammens is a huge upgrade, so this will be a big test for him. If he comes through it and doesn’t concede via a set-piece, the rest of the gameplan falls into place.
Sit back in a low-block, press intelligently, close the spaces between the lines, and fly forward quickly after winning the ball back.
It’s how Sir Alex Ferguson masterminded some of the greatest wins against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, but Arteta is not as tactically stubborn.
Arteta knows this is how United will play, so expect him to draw them out and try to play long as well.
This could end up being a “Ball is lava” kind of a game, so being away from home could actually work in United’s favour since the onus to attack is on the home side.
United just need to stay solid and take their chance when it comes. Be like Forest in defence, and be like United in attack, the one that tore City to shreds!
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox