Manchester United made a winning start under Michael Carrick with a convincing 2-0 win over title-chasing rivals Manchester City last weekend
Michael Carrick following Manchester United's win over Manchester City at Old Trafford(Image: (Copa/Getty Images))View Image
Alan Shearer believes Michael Carrick made a number of decisions last weekend that Manchester United have been crying out for. Carrick kicked off his reign in charge of United until the end of the season with a stunning derby victory over Manchester City last Saturday.
Second-half goals from Bryan Mbuemo and Patrick Dorgu capped a brilliant performance as the rejuvenated Reds inflicted further damage on City’s title chances with a deserved 2-0 win at Old Trafford. Carrick made a number of changes for the game, including leaving out Matheus Cunha, bringing in Harry Maguire and switching to a back four.
And Shearer believes the tweaks were exactly what United have been crying out for.
“I was hugely impressed by Michael Carrick’s Man United,” he told Betfair. “It couldn't have gone any better.
“He'd been in the club three days and made little tweaks with the system and individuals. Penny for the thoughts of Rúben Amorim watching that performance. It was like someone flipped a switch; the energy and aggression were incredible.
“That has to be the norm now. You need a little luck, getting Mbeumo and Amad back just in time and Dalot not getting sent off, but the performance level was key.
“There's no doubt Bruno Fernandes is a talented player. Best in the world might be going a bit far, but as a '10', he's been brilliant for United. You wonder where they would have been without him.
“Carrick made big calls, leaving Cunha out, then bringing him on, bringing Maguire back in, and going to a back four. Everyone has been crying out for that. Bruno is a wonderful player.”
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United return to action against the Gunners tomorrow afternoon, and Carrick said: "I’m looking forward to the game. It’s a big challenge, you know, they’re a very good team.
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"It’s pretty obvious to say that. They’ve got so many strong points to their game and to their squad.
"It’s a big challenge, they are where they are for a reason and where they are in the Champions League for a reason, so we’re fully aware of that and not taking that lightly at all.
"We feel we’re in a good place and we’re looking forward to the game, so it’s where we want to be, with that real positive energy and enthusiasm, to go there and be positive, but for sure we know it's not going to come easy."