And so, Michael Carrick is back at Manchester United, returning to the club at which he won every major trophy available during a glittering playing career.
There might be those wishing that the 44-year-old was coming back to lace up his boots again, amid the dearth of midfield depth at Old Trafford, although the Englishman will instead be leading the charge from the dugout, having got the nod over former teammate and colleague, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After the tiring debate over Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 set-up, Carrick - who was sacked by Middlesbrough last year - is likely to go back to basics somewhat, deploying a far more familiar 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system instead.
As was seen during Darren Fletcher's brief interim stint, however, such a tweak isn't a quick fix, not least with a clear, first-choice midfield pairing having not been decided upon.
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick before the match
The hope will be that Carrick and his new coaching team can finally get the best out of Kobbie Mainoo after a wasted period under Amorim, although quite how the five-time Premier League winner uses his compatriot remains to be seen...
What Carrick has already said about Mainoo's best position
Remarkably, Sunday's defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion marked just Mainoo's second start of the campaign, having yet to start at all in the Premier League in 2025/26.
Mainoo-record-by-manager-Man-Utd
The 20-year-old didn't exactly take his chance, having ultimately been replaced on the 60-minute mark, although after a spell on the periphery - and on the sidelines due to injury - patience is needed in the 2024 FA Cup final hero.
There is a world in which Mainoo could well have departed if Amorim had stayed, but with Carrick onboard, the dynamic has shifted, with the ex-Boro boss previously telling Rio Ferdinand that the club should "build around" the Stockport native.
Interestingly, however, when pressed upon where the Euro 2024 star would be best utilised, United's new 'Head Coach' went on to suggest that Mainoo was more of an "attacker", insisting that he's not "a holding midfielder".
Mainoo-Carrick-Man-Utd-quotes-timeless
The youngster did star as a deep-lying midfielder on his first Premier League start against Everton back in November 2023, although arguably his best moments since then have come in a more advanced role.
Who can forget his notable stunning strikes in and around the penalty box against the likes of Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers and on that night versus Lyon.
In a 4-3-3, he could well line up in one of the more attack-minded berths alongside Bruno Fernandes, with a more wildcard solution potentially deployed in the pivot behind to complete the trio.
Man Utd star can be 'world-class' in new role under Carrick
If Mainoo and Fernandes are to be positioned in more box-to-box, playmaking roles, then the obvious fight for the defensive midfield berth would be between Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.
Casemiro-Man-Utd-Ugarte
That said, the ageing Brazilian was desperately poor away at Burnley last week, having been dribbled past on four occasions, as per Sofascore, while the Uruguayan's woes in possession ensure he simply can't be the man to dictate the play, averaging a pass accuracy rate of just 50% in the league for long balls.
With no other senior midfielder available, it could be Lisandro Martinez who is relocated moving forward, with the Argentine showing glimpses of his quality in that role away at Aston Villa last month.
Having seen Fernandes forced off with injury at the break, Martinez entered the fray to replace him, acting as the deepest point of the midfield in something of a 4-1-4-1.
It's a small simple size, but the 27-year-old was magnificent in that second half at Villa Park, spraying passes into his forward players, while driving forward himself from deep.
Martinez vs Aston Villa
Stat
Minutes
Touches
Pass accuracy
Key passes
Possession lost
Passes in own half
Passes in opp. half
Tackles
Dribbled past
Stats via Sofascore
The diminutive left-footer showed why analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson has predicted that he can "become a world-class DM", albeit while having since slotted back into a centre-back berth again in recent weeks.
While a left-sided defensive role appeared tailor-made for him in a back three, at 5 foot 10, questions are still to be asked of his suitability for a back four, having looked shaky away at Turf Moor after failing to close down goalscorer Jaidon Anthony.
Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United's Senne Lammens and Manchester United's Altay Bayindir
With Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire all battling it out too for a centre-back berth, Martinez may have to find a home elsewhere in the side, making a midfield relocation the best bet for all parties.
Indeed, he is a master at progressing play, both on the ball and with a forward pass, ranking in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues for progressive passes, progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
That ability in tight spaces should make him perfect to play the 'Carrick role' in front of the back four, with it set to be no surprise if he is selected as the go-to man for Saturday's vital Manchester derby.
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