Like many other former Manchester United players, Denis Irwin is enjoying the ongoing win streak under the newly appointed Michael Carrick. It’s helped lift the mood at Old Trafford as players start to receive more praise than criticism.
Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim following a topsy-turvy first half to the 2025/26 season. Ineos felt the standards were slipping, and a new coach would give the team a more realistic chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
It was decided two weeks on from Amorim’s dismissal that Michael Carrick would become United’s head coach until the end of the season. Since then, United have won all three matches against teams in the top half of the Premier League, and the team is now sitting fourth in the league table.
There are 14 games left to play and it’s way too early to get giddy over European football. The task for Carrick now is to build on the momentum over the coming weeks because the only way to secure a Champions League spot is by winning football matches.
How many wins in a row will Michael Carrick make it now?
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Carrick
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It also helps the many members of United’s first team who have been dealing with lots of criticism in recent years. There has been a lift, which the players are partly responsible for.
Diogo Dalot throw in against Fulham
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Denis Irwin singles out Man Utd full-back Diogo Dalot for praise
Denis Irwin is one of the greatest full-backs to ever play for United.
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The Irishman spent 12 years at Old Trafford between 1990 and 2002, winning multiple Premier League titles and the iconic Treble in 1999.
Irwin appeared on the latest Inside Carrington podcast with Diogo Dalot, as he praised the right back on his recent form.
Dalot has faced criticism in recent times, some of it warranted, but he has come a long way since joining in a transfer worth £19 million from FC Porto.
However, United fans would struggle to name a player who deserves dropping based on the last three matches under Carrick.
That marks a significant improvement for Dalot.
When asked to give his verdict on Dalot, Irwin said: “Brilliant, because I’m sure when you first came here, I mean, it’s, I mean, Portuguese League is brilliant. But this is kind of another step up, I’d say.
“You said you were 18 when you came across? That must have been a big learning curve coming to a different country and getting used to the pace of the game here, because that’s probably the big difference, I’d say, between English football and general European football.
“But like you’ve been seven or eight years here now, it’s fantastic to see. And the game, the game has changed an awful lot because your fullback is probably the way you have to, different avenues of attack is slightly different to my day, where we’re more, a bit more defensive. So you’ve got to be very comfortable on the ball.
“You’ve got to be able to cross the ball. You’ve got to be able to defend. And you’ve been fantastic the last seven or eight years.
“I’ve got to say that.”
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Dalot graphic
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England Six Nations star Henry Pollock takes inspiration from Diogo Dalot
England rugby star Henry Pollock regularly mimics Dalot’s “pulse check” celebration amid a rise to prominence.
The 21-year-old was speaking to Jamie Redknapp for Sky Sports when he said: “It must have been a long time ago.
“I use loads of different ones, but he’s my main one.”
Pollock, a United fan, added: “Carrick has come in and changed a little bit.
“So yeah, I’m loving life right now.”
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