The knives began sharpening against Michael Carrick after just his first loss, but both Noussair Mazraoui and Matheus Cunha think his best skill is being written off too easily.
It’s convenient to get caught up in the narrative due to a ten-day break between the loss to Newcastle and the game against Aston Villa.
However, take a step back and realise that six wins, one draw, and one loss over eight games is still title-contending form.
Noussair Mazraoui and Matheus Cunha both believe that it’s down to Michael Carrick’s best trait as manager, something that’s written off too easily.
Noussair Mazraoui plays a cross vs Palace
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What is your MESSAGE to Michael Carrick after his first defeat as Man Utd boss?
Michael Carrick instructs his players during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
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Noussair Mazraoui agrees with Cunha about Carrick’s skill
Michael Carrick has shown a lot so far at the job, considering he came as someone with a temporary role, stepping up from a Middlesbrough sacking to being the Man Utd manager.
There have been notable tactical tweaks that have gone under the radar, a fresh approach to communication, and a sense of calmness and stability.
However, both Mazraoui and Cunha think his best trait is actually his knowledge of the club.
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Just days after Cunha sent a clear message to Ineos about Carrick “getting” the club, Mazraoui has stressed that people write off that skill too easily as “just luck”, in an interview with Man Utd’s official website.
Mazraoui said: “You really feel that, you really see that they know the club, really feel the value of the club, because they have a great history here.
“They won big prizes, so they know how it is in the good times, in the bad times, and you just see and feel that, and I think we also show that through these last games, of course.
“That’s not by luck or anything, that’s more quality and their understanding of the club rather than anything else.”
United need to think twice before compromising on that quality
People seemed to be frothing at the mouth for being “right” over Carrick’s credentials, which was visible in the visceral narrative that took hold after the loss to Newcastle.
After a first defeat, how are you feeling about Michael Carrick for the Man Utd job permanently?
Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League
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However, multiple players have now said how important it is that Carrick “gets” the club, something which United can’t take for granted anymore.
15th place and a limp loss to Spurs in the UEFA Europa League final were being promised as a launchpad for success by Ruben Amorim.
Before that, two trophies by Erik ten Hag were paraded as evidence that he didn’t fail at Old Trafford.
In contrast, Solskjaer was busy apologising to fans for finishing second in the league, and Carrick has got them to third already.
Those are the standards that only someone who gets the club understands, so he’s not busy systematically lowering them.
It’s all fine and dreamy to think about Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique, but sometimes the less glamorous answer is the right one.
The Newcastle loss needs perspective. Can United really replace Carrick with a manager who’ll never lose a game in his life?
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