Michael Carrick started his adventure as interim coach of the Red Devils with quite a schedule. For his first, the former midfielder simply had a Mancunian derby on the program, no less. A shock that his team finally won, with a score of 2-0, allowing him to collect some first praise in the media, and above all, to bring a smile to the faces of many people at Old Trafford, where the atmosphere had been quite gloomy since the start of the season.
For his second match as Manchester United coach this weekend, he had a new big face: Arsenal, the championship leaders. And there too, Bruno Fernandes’s gang got the better of a rival who was a priori superior, with a 3-2 victory in London. Two matches against championship leaders and two victories for Carrick’s first steps on the bench, something unheard of for a very long time in Manchester. The former Mancunian player also changed things, such as a return to a line of 4 at the back, and a return of Kobbie Mainoo to the team in particular.
Carrick has not (yet) convinced everyone
Obviously, the English tactician is praised. Starting with its players. “He knows that feeling; he knows what love for United is. He knows what fans want to feel. He tried to instill it in us every moment, he tried to make us understand in a few moments and say ‘everyone is against us’, so I think we are more united now”confided Matheus Cunha, author of the winning goal against the Gunners. Obviously, questions about his long-term future arise: why not offer him the coaching position permanently? Questioned on this subject, the main person concerned wanted to calm things down: “I’m here to do a job. You must not get inflamed. I’m enjoying it and I’m going to continue to do what I can.”.
“No one would have chosen Carrick to be manager of Manchester United, but now? »asks for example the BBC on the possibility of seeing him remain on the bench in the long term. Among consultants and former players, we are rather divided. “I am absolutely amazed by what I have seen in eight days. Michael Carrick deserves immense credit, as do the players for what they have achieved”said Gary Neville, while his former teammate Roy Keane still insisted on putting the church back in the middle of the village: “two great performances but anyone can win two matches. Even if United win every game until the end of the season, I still won’t give him the job. I still won’t be convinced he’s the right man. Absolutely not. They need a bigger, more experienced manager.”. Either way, the debate is on!
