Michael Carrick has had a flying start to life at Man Utd, but he’s battling the demons of the club’s past in which he had no part to play.
Despite reviving a season from the brink of collapse under Darren Fletcher after the FA Cup elimination, Michael Carrick has a huge asterisk next to his name.
It has nothing to do with anything that he’s doing wrong. It’s more about the mistake Man Utd have already made (whether it was even a mistake is debatable!).
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
However, his latest “there’s something wrong” warning to Ineos shows he’s exactly the manager United need as the “anti-Solskjaer”.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United press conference
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Michael Carrick’s warning to Ineos
Carrick’s communication style so far has been a breath of fresh air compared to Ruben Amorim’s weekly warning of pain and suffering.
He has brought a sense of calmness and a much-needed “boring” to a club that doesn’t need much to plunge itself into panic and chaos.
However, it doesn’t mean that he talks in platitudes or struggles to communicate his thoughts clearly, as evidenced by his latest warning to Ineos.
More United News
As everyone is itching to get carried away by Carrick’s hot start, the man himself was asked whether this start makes him a favourite for the permanent job.
His response was a warning to Ineos, even if it came at the cost of his own prospects.
He said: “The results over a short period of time don’t change [the plan]. If they have changed that, there’s something wrong. It can’t be so kneejerk whether it’s really good or whether there’s a few issues we need to solve.
“It’s steady progress really. You know that football can twist and turn just as quick. So, you’ve got to keep level really and keep focusing on what we need to do.”
Carrick’s warning proves he’s what Man Utd need
At first glance, it looks like Carrick is doing his own prospects of landing this job permanently harm, but it’s more nuanced than that.
How many wins in a row will Michael Carrick make it now?
Three wins from three… it's a perfect start!
Carrick
Getty Images
By telling Ineos to keep up with their process instead of riding the wave of excitement, he’s taken another step towards shedding the “vibes” label that hurt Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Man Utd’s players have already fought back against the lazy Solskjaer comparisons, while Carrick’s genius in tactical details is also a conscious effort to distance himself from that narrative.
By effectively warning Ineos that they shouldn’t repeat the error the Glazers made with Solskjaer, he has made sure that if he gets the job, it will not be painted with the colour of nostalgia and kneejerk decision-making.
It directly lifts his managerial credentials beyond being just an ex-player who has refreshed the dressing room, bringing an immediate upturn in form.
In the process, he’s solidified and pitched his preference for the long-term vision of the club, which will come as music to Ineos’ ears.
It’s a masterclass in communication from Carrick.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox