Michael Carrick has made an immediate impact at Manchester United since his appointment as interim head coach.
While some supporters may have expected a new manager bounce under Michael Carrick, very few would have predicted three consecutive wins against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham.
Carrick’s tactical shifts at United have given players more freedom to express themselves in the final third, and it seems he has made a good impression on the squad.
How many wins in a row will Michael Carrick make it now?
Three wins from three… it's a perfect start!
Carrick
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Lisandro Martinez was full of praise for Carrick, while vice-captain Harry Maguire praised Carrick’s coaching style as well.
Carrick has brought a new wave of optimism to United, and his former teammate Rio Ferdinand has spotted something interesting.
Rio Ferdinand points to his head
Photo by Richard Callis/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand spots changes under Michael Carrick
Earlier this week, Ferdinand defended Carrick from pundits who were writing him off for the permanent job in the summer. If he continues on his current run of form, it would be impossible to not give him the job.
Diving deeper into Carrick’s impact, Ferdinand spotted something interesting happening under Carrick that never happened under Ruben Amorim.
More United News
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “What’s great about the last three games, is we’re starting to now see partnerships all over the pitch.
“Amad-Dalot, Maguire-Martinez, Casemiro-Kobbie, there’s partnerships there. If you are going to win anything you need those around the pitch.
“I know everyone always talks about our centre-back pairings, and that’s important, [but] all over the pitch. Beckham and Neville, Giggs and Irwin, Giggs and Patrice Evra.
“To be successful, all the teams, you need that. Thierry Henry with Bergkamp. Robert Pires with Ashley Cole. There’s partnerships everywhere on the pitch on successful teams, straight away, they jump out at you.
“And Man United need to build those because that’s one of the things I haven’t seen enough of in the last regime.
Ruben Amorim deserves ___ % credit for Michael Carrick’s BRILLIANT start at Man Utd
Fill in the blank. Did Amorim lay the foundation for success at Old Trafford?
Michael Carrick and Ruben Amorim as Man Utd managers split image
Michael Carrick and Ruben Amorim as Man Utd managers
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
“Where are the partnerships over the pitch that when things aren’t going well, that partner brings you through.
“That partner can guide you in the moments of distress in a game where things aren’t looking as rosy as they normally do, but you look a bit out of sorts. I’ve got my partner backing me up, he’s sorting me out, he’s talking to me talking through this one for 10 minutes and get you through it.”
Man United spirit and confidence is high under Michael Carrick
While it is easy to criticise Amorim for his lack of success at United, he did leave Old Trafford having mended the dressing room atmosphere.
Carrick walked in to inherit a squad not only full of quality, but full of strong characters. Immediately, the players bought into Carrick’s game plan, and three deserved wins have followed.
The Red Devils already find themselves up in fourth in the Premier League table, and they are now just six points behind Manchester City in second.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim’s successor cannot walk back on Michael Carrick’s most important Man Utd change
The mentality and fighting spirit of this squad is strong, as seen through the late winners against Arsenal and Fulham.
Ferdinand is right, these United players are working and fighting for each other, and several key partnerships are popping up all over the pitch.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox