Manchester United have some of the best players in the Premier League, and most have kicked on an extra level since Michael Carrick arrived at the club.
This is because Michael Carrick has fine-tuned a system to platform his best players in their perfect roles on the pitch, as opposed to what Ruben Amorim did.
For example, with Kobbie Mainoo.
As Carrick pointed out last week, Amorim had pigeonholed Mainoo as a player, only seeing him as the back-up for Bruno Fernandes.
This is despite Casemiro’s struggles at times, and the fact that Mainoo would be a much better midfielder to bring on than Manuel Ugarte.
Carrick has started Mainoo in every game so far, and as a result, he has been able to platform not only the 20-year-old but also another player whom Amorim was wasting.
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Michael Carrick says Bruno Fernandes has been in the wrong position for Manchester United
Amorim’s treatment of Mainoo was terrible, and Carrick making the youngster a key player again immediately has proven a great decision.
But it has also allowed Fernandes to get back to his best, playing in his favoured number 10 position where he has been so impactful.
Bruno Fernandes applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Fernandes has six assists in five games since Amorim left, and speaking about his captain with TNT Sports, Carrick has admitted that he’s much better further forward with a free role.
“Bruno [Fernandes] can just create moments, you know? He’s bright. I think that little bit of freedom suits him; he’s got a natural brain.
“The game adapts, the game evolves. To totally pigeonhole him to certain positions where you can give him a little bit of freedom towards him.
“Knowing him for a long time, what his skills are, his attributes, he’s creative, so let him be creative in the right places.
“He made two goals the other day in different ways, set play, and obviously a big moment for the winning goal, and it’s what he does best.”
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Bruno Fernandes was wasted by Ruben Amorim as a deep-lying midfielder
Amorim always insisted it was Mainoo vs Fernandes, but by doing so, he lost both his most creative attacking threat and also his best natural eight, seriously weakening the team.
But now, Carrick has both in their ideal roles, and they are shining as a result.
Particularly Fernandes, who has six of his 13 assists this season in just five games as a 10, which suggests he’d have already smashed records if playing in attacking midfield all season.
Fernandes is a match-winner in the 10, while deeper in midfield, he was almost a liability, making the team function worse as he was played out of position.
Carrick has got Fernandes back to his best, with the club legend putting up numbers that could make this a very special season for him as he establishes himself as a club icon.
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