Michael Carrick has had the best start imaginable to his second spell as Manchester United head coach, and the positives continue to stack up for the legendary midfielder.
Few would have predicted Manchester United would achieve a perfect six points from two games against the league’s two best teams, but Michael Carrick did exactly this.
Carrick has changed the whole narrative around the club in the space of two weeks, first leading United to beat City 2-0 in the Manchester derby. Then last weekend, United defeated league-leading Arsenal 3-2.
The result of these performances has been United being discussed as a potential title challenger, despite being 12 points adrift. The performances were that good.
However, behind the scenes, Carrick is also a hit with the players.
After wins vs City and Arsenal… should Michael Carrick get the Man Utd permanent job?
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Carrick
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Manchester United players are happy with Michael Carrick
Winning the Premier League feels like an impossible task, but United’s performances recently would beat anyone in the league, so if consistency can be found, who knows?
But more importantly, Carrick looks nailed on for European football qualification. He has also impressed the squad and got them to buy into his ideas, where Ruben Amorim failed for 14 months.
Michael Carrick clapping the fans after beating Arsenal
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To get the job permanently, Carrick needs to be flawless, and with the on-pitch displays, taking care of one aspect, the I Paper has claimed he is also a favourite with players.
The report explains that sources close to players have discussed Carrick as having a calm authority around Carrington, with one saying that he ‘coaches like he plays’, which is an exciting thought.
Carrick makes things look far easier than they are, with his class and composure being admired as something other managers would only wish to have in this scrutinised position.
Does Michael Carrick REALLY have traits like Carlo Ancelotti? Do you see it?!
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Carrick / Ancelotti graphic
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Michael Carrick’s calm nature replicates Carlo Ancelotti’s
During his playing days, Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti was regarded as a calm, intelligent, and composed midfielder. Which is a description equally as fitting when applied to Carrick.
Like Ancelotti, Carrick brings this cool and calm aura to the touchline, rarely looking phased, and this will inspire confidence in his players. A massive improvement from Amorim, who used to look away during penalties as he didn’t trust the taker.
Carrick and Ancelotti understand football in incredible detail, and so discussions of the pair being similar are not far-fetched.
Whether Carrick can go on to have the career Ancelotti has had is doubtful, but he certainly has the tools, with Steve Holland forming a perfect partnership to cover Carrick’s one weakness in terms of defensive structure.
Ineos shouldn’t be quick to throw this away.
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