Michael Carrick is going nowhere, at least for the next game, but Man Utd fans have already given up on the whole saga.
Nobody expected that Michael Carrick’s situation would become so untenable so early in the season, but when it happened, even that decision can’t be made properly.
Now that it is confirmed that Carrick will stay as Man Utd manager for at least one more game, away at Chelsea, no less, he needs to do something to revitalise Man Utd fans.
Here are three things that should be at the top of his list-
1- Lean into youth with Shea Lacey, Harry Amass, and more
If Carrick knows his time is up, then he needs to go out with a bang. There’s no better way of solidifying his legacy and confirming he knows the ethos of this club than by trusting the youth.
Carrick’s standing has decreased with the fans because he has betrayed Man Utd’s motto during this slump. Ignoring Shea Lacey and Harry Amass has become a constant stick to beat him with, and rightly so.
Play the duo against Chelsea, get Jaydan Kamason in for Diogo Dalot, put Jim Thwaites and Jaume Camacho on the bench, and allow Man Utd fans to love their team again.
Win, lose, or draw, there will be no complaints against Carrick that way.
2- Simplify the game plan to last season
Carrick became a master of marquee games last season by utilising a sensible mid-block-and-counter approach, and he should go back to it for this one.
The 4-2-4 high press is clearly not working, and Carrick has refused to change his approach, even though some changes in the shape have occurred.
Against Chelsea, he needs to go back to the basics. Select Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven, ask them to defend the box, and release wingers quickly.
That is the Man Utd way, and if he’s set to be sacked, he might as well do that on his own terms.
3- Stand up for the club by not standing up for the owners
Carrick has been a model professional during this tough time, and that hasn’t surprised anyone. However, there is a difference between doing right by the club and doing right by the owners.
Ineos own Man Utd. Ineos are not Man Utd, so it’s okay to criticise them if they are not doing their jobs properly, just like the manager.
Carrick doesn’t have to explode like Amorim, but he can go out with a bang in his own understated way by highlighting the problems beyond the manager.
He won’t be a nuisance if he does that. If anything, now that his fate is sealed, Carrick will be a lover of the club if he addresses the problems that led him to fail.