Michael Carrick has made changes since taking over from Ruben Amorim in the Manchester United dugout
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on January 14, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Roy Keane visited Manchester United's training ground during Michael Carrick's last spell at the club(Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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It hasn't taken long for Michael Carrick to make a big impact at Manchester United as interim manager. These days, the situation is vastly different from the circumstances confronting the club in 2019 when former captain Roy Keane paid a discreet visit.
At that point, Keane's former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer occupied the dugout. The Norwegian presided over a marked improvement in form after succeeding Jose Mourinho halfway through the 2018/19 campaign but recent accounts suggest Carrick has achieved considerably more in restoring optimism to Old Trafford both on and off the pitch.
"As you'd imagine, Roy has strong views on what it takes to be a proper United player, and he gave it to them straight," a source told Mirror Football at the time. While results might have been on the up back then, there were still issues which upset Keane.
"He wasn't impressed with one player who didn't seem to be all that interested and looked as if he'd rather be somewhere else. But for the majority, it was a fascinating snapshot into the hunger and desire that drove Roy during his time at the club."
Nowadays, the circumstances couldn't be much further removed from those which left Keane so exasperated. Carrick has overseen a transformation on the pitch, with a move away from Ruben Amorim's three-at-the-back formation the most obvious tweak, though the more significant alterations have occurred off the pitch.
According to The Telegraph, amongst the significant alterations implemented by Carrick is the adoption of briefer yet more demanding training sessions. These, the newspaper claims, have left some 'blown away', with the impact felt in such a short space of time.
Carrick has also demonstrated a readiness to appoint seasoned coaches who aren't reluctant to challenge him. Whilst Keane hasn't been recruited - despite some appeals for his return to Old Trafford after Amorim's exit - figures such as Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate are viewed as more prepared to question the manager than Amorim's less experienced coaches were with the Portuguese boss.
Manchester United players celebrating against Crystal Palace
United are unbeaten under interim boss Carrick(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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"I can't be right the whole time – it's impossible. That's why we've got a group of six in our office," Carrick recently told the BBC. "We've all got strong opinions, but we all filter it and it's important we have a connection and understanding of what direction we want to go in."
Additionally, team meetings are reported to - for the most part, anyway - run no longer than 15 minutes. With numerous aspects of the players' daily routine taking less time, they can finish mandatory work by 12.30pm, while there has also been more of a push towards individual work in a way which wasn't present under Amorim.
It remains to be seen whether the strategy can continue to deliver results next season if Carrick secures the position permanently and United have the extra responsibility of European competition. For now, though, it's working for United's squad and their quieter schedule and it seems as though a considerable amount has shifted since Keane's visit some seven years ago.
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