Man Utd have now played 10 games under Michael Carrick and a return of 23 points from a possible 30 is an impressive effort.
Manchester United players celebrate
Manchester United have been in excellent form under Michael Carrick
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Manchester United are closing in on a return to the Champions League after a stunning return to form under Michael Carrick, securing seven wins and two draws from his 10 Premier League games in charge.
United have been excellent since the club's former midfielder was appointed in January and the 44-year-old has put himself in pole position to land the job on a permanent basis this summer.
The momentum continued with a gutsy 2-2 draw at Bournemouth in controversial circumstances before the international break, with United reduced to 10 men after Harry Maguire was sent-off and Carrick left furious at the decision to deny his side a second penalty in the game.
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That was United's final game before a 24-day break until they play Leeds, and with that sizeable breather and the 10-game milestone having been reached, this is a good time to take stock and see how the players have rated so far under Carrick.
Senne Lammens: Continues to go from strength to strength as United's No. 1. Produced an outstanding performance in the gutsy win at Everton and has barely put a foot - or glove - wrong under Carrick. 8
Diogo Dalot: Never looked comfortable as a wing-back for Ruben Amorim and has been far more settled at right-back, his natural position. Hit the roof of the stand with a shot at Bournemouth and not faultless at the back, but better. 7
Noussair Mazraoui: Just the one start so far and didn't make the strongest of cases for more when he got through 85 minutes at Newcastle. A reliable and experienced backup, but that's been his level to date. 6
Harry Maguire: Started every game for Carrick having gone two-and-a-half months without a start until then. That run will end after his red card at Bournemouth but that shouldn't detract from the impact he's had. 8
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Ayden Heaven: A couple of key cameos off the bench to see out wins against Palace and Everton. Not playing as often as he had done, but has been fine when he called upon. 6
Leny Yoro: Was having a difficult season until recently but feels like that turned for him with a vital contribution off the bench at West Ham, when his one-on-one defending really stood out. Solid replacing Martinez recently. 7
Lisandro Martinez: Calf injury was only supposed to rule him out for one game but has now missed the last five. Reliable performer when fit, but now needs to stay fit. 7
Luke Shaw: The only player to start all 31 games this season, which is quite the achievement. His performances at left-back deserve more credit, given it had been so long since he played there. 7
Tyrell Malacia: A late sub against Newcastle when United got desperate and he got himself tangled in knots trying to defend William Osula's run. Hard to be too critical given his lack of football, but it wasn't a good look. 4
Casemiro: The Stretford End chants of 'one more year, one more year, Casemiro' sum up his impact in the last two-and-a-half months. Developed an excellent partnership with Mainoo, a threat in the opposition box, a good passer and still solid as a holding midfielder. 9
Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder #18 Casemiro celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford
(Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
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Manuel Ugarte: Best performance came in a 30-minute substitute appearance at Newcastle, but 15 minutes against Fulham, when United lost control, probably a more accurate representation of what happens when he comes on and Casemiro goes off. 5
Kobbie Mainoo: Couldn't get a look in under Amorim but now undroppable for Carrick and back in the England squad to boot. Has shown his quality on several occasions and is starting to show he can control games. 8
Bruno Fernandes: The folly of playing Fernandes in a deeper role has been well and truly exposed. Eleven goal involvements in 10 games and a dazzling highlights reel as a No. 10. Has been instrumental in recent weeks. 9
Mason Mount: Injured again early on and has been an 89th-minute substitute against Manchester City and Bournemouth. Hard to see how he gets a start in this team. 4
Tyler Fletcher: Earned a late debut in the win over Tottenham and has stayed around the first-team squad. 6
Amad: Dropped out of the team briefly but forced his way back in with a couple of lively appearances off the bench. Yet to score or register an assist under Carrick and for all his quality, he needs to find a more consistent end product. 6
Matheus Cunha: Excellent against Bournemouth recently and has started to deliver more regularly in the final third. Doesn't look a natural on the left, but the fact that he is making an impact shows his quality. 7
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Bryan Mbeumo: Hit the ground running with goals against Manchester City and Arsenal and has offered something different as a No. 9, but his form has just dipped a little over the last few games. 7
Benjamin Sesko: Five goals under Carrick despite starting just twice, including crucial strikes against Fulham, West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace. Shown his mentality to make an impact off the bench on so many occasions. 8
Joshua Zirkzee: Has not had much of a role to play and is clearly behind all the other attacking options in this squad. Flashes of quality every now and again but not a natural fit in this system. 5