Michael Carrick’s next test at Manchester United is a game against Fulham at Old Trafford, the reverse fixture of which brought Ineos immense embarrassment due to Ruben Amorim.
The game against Fulham at Craven Cottage near the start of the season was actually a good performance, at least the first half.
Man Utd had pinned Fulham back and missed numerous chances to end the game, but Fulham improved in the second half, and ultimately, Ruben Amorim had to settle for a draw.
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A draw away at Fulham is hardly a “doomsday” scenario, but what happened afterwards might have set the wheels in motion to Amorim’s sacking.
Jonathan Woodgate Assistant of Manchester United, Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United and Steve Holland Assistant Manager of Manchester United on the side line during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026
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Ruben Amorim caused Man Utd embarrassment after Fulham game
When the Fulham game was played, the mood around the club was immensely positive following a spirited performance in the loss against Arsenal.
United had opened their Premier League campaign by dominating Arsenal despite the result, and when they picked up from where they left off against Fulham, hopes were high.
However, as time went on, Fulham grew into the game, and United looked utterly devoid of answers.
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That improvement, according to Marco Silva and Alex Iwobi of Fulham, came down to a simple tactical tweak that left Amorim looking like a man with no Plan B.
Silva said after the game that they knew they could easily pin back United and create numerical superiority in the middle due to Amorim’s system.
Iwobi went a step further and dissected the role of centre-backs jumping into the midfield, which he exploited by having plenty of space.
Those comments hit so hard that it emerged later via The Daily Mail that Ineos were ‘furious’ at Fulham’s comments, as it basically made it clear that Amorim was easy to figure out, and he couldn’t answer back.
That would become the template to beat Amorim’s side, as that draw was followed by a defeat to Grimsby, with the season never really properly recuperating in between false dawns of wins.
Michael Carrick has fixed Amorim’s tactical issue
Silva and Iwobi weren’t saying anything revolutionary, which is why it was so frustrating that Amorim refused to change.
With Ruben Amorim SACKED, where will Manchester United finish in 2025/26?
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Patrick Dorgu celebrates with his teammates during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
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It was an issue everyone could see from a mile away, and it spoke volumes that Carrick addressed it as his first order of business.
Out went the two-man midfield and wing-backs, with Carrick restoring Kobbie Mainoo to the pivot alongside Casemiro, pushing Bruno Fernandes further forward.
Almost immediately, courtesy of Mainoo running his socks off, Casemiro being Casemiro, and Fernandes’ defensive efforts being a bonus instead of a necessity, United’s midfield looked transformed.
The numerical advantage disappeared as United cut through the midfield of Arsenal and City with precision, while also staying extremely solid off the ball.
Fulham will provide a challenge unlike the one Arsenal and City did, as they will dare United to break them down.
But for Carrick’s part, Fulham won’t find it so easy to play through United anymore either. Win, lose, or draw, there’s no longer public embarrassment in store for United.
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