Ruben Amorim will have plenty to build on despite Manchester United’s defeat to Arsenal to kick off their Premier League season, and he already has a fan in Michael Carrick.
The 1-0 defeat was unlike any other suffered last season, and that reflected in Ruben Amorim’s media engagements afterwards.
He congratulated the players on their performance, and the general sentiment among Man Utd fans is that if the team performs like that, they will win most games.
In an upbeat mood despite the result, what Amorim did after the game caught the eye of Michael Carrick, who said Amorim has his ‘respect’ now.
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United leaves the pitch for half-time during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Michael Carrick praises classy Ruben Amorim
Even when United were in their worst run of form in Premier League history last season, one thing that was rarely criticised about Ruben Amorim was his handling of the press.
His interactions with the media have been brutally honest and insightful in equal measure, and the way he protects his players has been admirable.
He balances it with sharp criticism at times as well, making it a perfect carrot-and-stick approach suited to man management.
After the loss to Arsenal, Amorim was fiercely protective of Bayindir, who he knew was going to catch a lot of flak for being the sole blot on a good performance.
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That caught the eye of Carrick, who, speaking on Premier League Productions broadcast, praised the Man Utd manager for the way he handled himself after the game.
Carrick said: “I wouldn’t expect anything else. He came out and fought for the group. There’s a bigger picture to look after. Everything that he’s put into this game, so good. It was encouraging.
“The result is out of his control, really. Even if he didn’t think it was a foul [on Bayindir], he’s got to look after his players, and I respect him for that.”
Amorim cultivating a siege mentality at Man Utd
Even if Amorim himself doesn’t believe that Bayindir is up to it, players remember these small details of the backing they receive.
With those comments defending Bayindir, Amorim might just have earned a player in his ranks who will be willing to go through brick walls for him.
That is reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson, who cultivated an atmosphere of “us against the world” at Old Trafford, something Carrick will be all too familiar with.
Amorim has taken a page out of Sir Alex’s book multiple times this season, and this is just another example that should fill United fans with confidence.
The club has come a long way from Jose Mourinho’s “his body, my brain” jibe at Luke Shaw after the player performed well.
Amorim is perfectly balancing ruthlessness with backing.