The Michael Carrick era is five games old at Manchester United, but plenty of players have made an immediate impact under the club's former midfielder.
Manchester United players
United have been in excellent form under Michael Carrick(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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Michael Carrick has got off to a brilliant start as Manchester United head coach, recording four wins and a draw from his first five games in the dugout and putting the club in pole position to return to the Champions League.
The 44-year-old registered victories against the Premier League's top two in his first two games, winning the Manchester derby at Old Trafford and then beating Arsenal at the Emirates. He followed that with wins against Fulham and Tottenham, and Benjamin Sesko's 96th-minute equaliser at West Ham ensured he remained unbeaten.
Carrick has been able to pick a consistent team during his time in charge, but in his five games, he has used 20 players in total, making substitutions based on the state of the contest.
With United now at the start of a run of 13 days without a game before the trip to Everton, this is a good team to rate those players so far in Carrick's tenure. This is how they fare:
Senne Lammens: The Belgian has been solid in goal since Carrick's arrival, although there have been times when United have played out from the back a little more and that has put pressure on his distribution. Looks like a very solid signing, however, and continuing his good start at Old Trafford. 7
Diogo Dalot: There is no doubt that Dalot has become the whipping boy at Old Trafford this season and the player that fans were getting on the back of. He never looked particularly convincing at wing-back but has been able to play five successive games at right-back for Carrick. Struggled against West Ham but has been much better in his usual position. 7
Noussair Mazraoui: Come on in three games so far. He could have done better for Fulham's equaliser when he let Kevin get inside him to play a one-two a little too easily. Only played nine minutes plus injury time. 6
Harry Maguire: Hadn't started for more than two months when thrown in for Carrick's first game on derby day, but has shown his class since then and belief that he will get a new contract is growing. Won almost every duel he has faced and been outstanding next to Martinez. 8
Michael Carrick, caretaker head coach of Manchester United, acknowledges Harry Maguire of Manchester United after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Maguire has been excellent under Michael Carrick(Image: Getty)
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Lisandro Martinez: Martinez has looked a lot happier back in a back four and alongside Maguire. He is enjoying playing alongside the more experienced man and it's a partnership United haven't made the most of until now. In a really good place again. 8
Ayden Heaven: Came on in the 89th minute of the derby but was an unused substitute since. Hard to break that Maguire/Martinez partnership but he is still young. 6
Leny Yoro: Came on Maguire midway through the second half at West Ham and delivered the kind of performance that should be a real confidence boost. Two huge defensive interventions near the end and showed his pace and one-on-one defending is a real strength. 7
Luke Shaw: Simplicity has been key in Carrick's reign, and he is playing England's best left-back over the past decade at left-back. Shaw has, incredibly, started every Premier League game this season. One blot on his copybook is a big one, with his slack defending contributing to West Ham's goal. 6
Casemiro: It almost brings a tear to the eye that he only has 12 games left here. Heroic under Carrick so far, delivering at both ends of the pitch. His partnership with Mainoo has been fantastic, and a system has been devised that helps to protest Casemiro's weaknesses and bring out his strengths, so it's no surprise to see him at his brilliant best. 9
Casemiro
Casemiro has been outstanding for United recently
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Manuel Ugarte: Late cameos against City and Tottenham but hard to overlook the 15 minutes he got in the win over Fulham when a 2-0 lead disappeared, as did United's control of the game. Not in Casemiro's league as a holding midfielder, in possession or out of possession. 5
Kobbie Mainoo: Staggering to think he hadn't started in the Premier League until that derby day win. Has been getting better with every game since showing improvements, particularly off the ball. Is controlling games at times in possession and playing with maturity and class. Should be back in the England squad. 9
Mason Mount: An 89th-minute sub against Manchester City, but picked up a training ground injury before Fulham that has seen him miss three successive games. Injuries continue to blight his United career. 5
Tyler Fletcher: Made his United debut late on against Tottenham and kept his place in the squad at West Ham. 6
Amad: Starting to look like he needs a rest after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. Excellent against Manchester City and Fulham, but poor recently and Sesko is pushing hard to get into the side. 6
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Bruno Fernandes: Bear with me, but I reckon playing the Premier League's attacking midfielder as an attacking midfielder was a good move. Four assists and one goal in those five games and he has played every minute of Carrick. Might just be the Premier League's best player at the moment. 9
Patrick Dorgu: A real shame that he got injured towards the end of the win against Arsenal. A surprise selection in Carrick's first game in charge, but he scored against City and delivered an excellent performance and then scored that screamer at the Emirates. Would have played more but for the hamstring injury. 8
Patrick Dorgu scored a stunning goal for United at Arsenal(Image: 2026 Marc Atkins)
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Matheus Cunha: Carrick has handled him brilliantly so far. Unlucky to be on the bench early on, but set up a goal against City and scored a brilliant winner against Arsenal to get back in the team. Not as sharp at West Ham last week. 7
Bryan Mbeumo: A big-game player for Carrick as goals against City, Arsenal and Tottenham show. Played as a centre-forward for most of the five fixtures, and his movement and link-up play have posed real problems for defenders. 8
Joshua Zirkzee: A couple of late cameos recently, and was very close to scoring at West Ham with a clever header. 6
Benjamin Sesko: Surely deserves a start now. Has played 61 minutes under Carrick but scored two vital goals. Took his 94th-minute winner against Fulham very well, but his 96th-minute equaliser last week was even better. He showed what an out-and-out striker can deliver at the London Stadium. 8