Manchester United's interim head coach Michael Carrick has brought the changes to Old Trafford and so far they have been a revelation
Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim
Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick has only been in the building a couple of weeks but already he has built up a good chunk of credit in the bank thanks to the opening two results as Manchester United interim head coach. After the draws to Leeds and Burnley, coupled with the defeat to Brighton, the next two fixtures looked daunting.
Manchester City and Arsenal are both battling it out for the Premier League title and have, for much of this season, looked considerably better than the Reds. But what a difference a new head coach can make as the form book was cast out of the window.
Pep Guardiola's City were made to look ordinary by United and even with their injury concerns, that is no small feat.
But perhaps more impressively, Carrick's men travelled to Arsenal on Sunday and managed to end their unbeaten home form this season and put a dent in their title charge too.
While the Reds continue to pick up results, no player can knock on the interim head coach's door and demand more game time. Carrick has introduced a 4-2-3-1 system which largely suits the players at his disposal but has meant some now have different roles.
For instance, Bruno Fernandes has been reintroduced to the attacking midfield role in the 4-2-3-1, which was an obvious decision to make. Under Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese captain was dropped deeper to allow both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to play as No.10s.
This pushed Kobbie Mainoo out to the peripheries of the United squad and even led him to request a loan move in the summer as he foresaw his minutes being cut. Now Mainoo has been welcomed back into the fold as a holding midfielder and one of Amorim's favourites is now having to deal with a fresh challenge to his position.
Mason Mount's time at United has been plagued by injuries but it felt like he was starting a renaissance at Old Trafford under Amorim. Between November and Christmas, Mount became integral as he benefitted from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) call-ups and the use of two No.10s in Amorim's system.
He scored two goals in this period, including the winner against Crystal Palace. But after picking up his knock on Boxing Day, Mount has since found his minutes cut again.
Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes embrace after the former scored against Crystal Palace
Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes embrace after the former scored against Crystal Palace
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In three Premier League matches since Amorim left, he has not started and played a total of 30 minutes from the bench. Against Arsenal, he was an unused substitute.
Like Mainoo discovered, Fernandes is undroppable in this team and while Mbeumo can be adapted to the centre-forward role, Mount knows he is battling with the Portuguese for that spot in the starting XI. He is not alone though, Cunha has also found starts hard to come by.
However, he has been called upon more often by Carrick and in the two opening matches of the interim head coach's era, he has secured an assist against City and a winner vs Arsenal. If Carrick wants to freshen things up and change the direction of the game, it is Cunha who will be called upon before Mount so patience will be key for the former Chelsea man.
Mount will take solace from the fact it remains early days and he will still be part of the plans, even if his minutes diminish somewhat. But for now, one of Amorim's favourites is having to make do with a spot on the bench.