Carrick behind the wheel: Another false dawn like Solksjaer or a new era for Man United?

And so it begins. A new era at Manchester United. Or perhaps, more appropriately, a continuation of one as Michael Carrick becomes the new head coach, not manager, of the 13-time Premier League champions.

When United decided to part ways with Ruben Amorim, it felt like the club was preparing for another implosion. It’s never a good sign when a tactician publicly questions the board before he leaves, and Amorim’s departure has left a dark cloud over Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher’s brief spell in charge did little to lift the gloom as United crashed out of the FA Cup with just 39 games remaining in the season.

It was an almost unimaginable reality for a club the size of United. Yet it has become an all-too-familiar story for many fans over the years.

Then came Carrick. Quiet, composed, understated, much like the midfielder he was in his playing days. Never flashy, never desperate for the limelight, just a man who understood balance, control and responsibility.

Since arriving at United in July 2006, Carrick has rarely been a major figure. He just did his job, slipped under the radar and prepared for the next battle.

Maybe that’s why Cristiano Ronaldo once wrote him a heartfelt note during his first spell as United boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.

The task then was straightforward, to steer United away from disaster in a season that looked set to sink unchallenged. Then came the tests: Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. That was part of 11 wins in his 16 games.

All beaten up. Some emphatically.

And now comes the real question: can Carrick build something lasting? At a club like United, success is never measured in moments. It is measured in trophies.

BRING BACK THE EXCITING FOOTBALL

“You want to win games, that goes without saying, we want to win games. Obviously there are different ways to do it, different scenarios, different situations in games that (mean) you might have to play a certain way.”

“But I think for me it’s (about) working with the players. I love working with the players and helping them improve individually, which hopefully helps the team improve and (I want to) be there to support them. I’m one of them, we’re all in this together and I think it’s important that we all look after each other.”

“But I know it’s about results. Hopefully we can play a really exciting type of football, be positive and express and bring excitement. I want to sit back. I want to enjoy watching the boys play and of course the results have to come with that.”

“You can feel my excitement for this because I’m ready to get started and see what we can do.

Those were Carrick’s words when he spoke on the Inside Carrington podcast about the football he wanted United to play. More importantly, he stayed true to that vision.

By May 8, United had scored 26 goals under him and boasted a shot conversion rate of 13.9 per cent – the best in the league since his arrival. They have also conceded just 16 goals, several of which have come in tight games such as the game at Fulham and the dramatic 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth.

But beyond the numbers, Carrick restored something United supporters were desperately missing, an identity.

Counter-attacking football is back. Pace is back. Chaos has returned.

United have never been built in the image of Pep Guardiola’s teams, obsessed with endless passing sequences and sterile control. Their best sides thrived on directness, speed, emotion and moments that exploded out of nowhere.

It was about thunderous goals, ruthless transitions and those unforgettable moments of the Fergie era.

Then came the revival of players who looked lost. Kobbie Mainoo, who had almost faded into the background under Amorim, suddenly looked reborn under Carrick, once again playing with confidence and authority.

There was no need for tactical complications. Carrick abandoned Amorim’s 3-4-3 setup and reshaped the side into a 1-3-2-4 or 3-3-4 structure that better suited United’s traditional strengths.

ANOTHER SOLKSJAER?

That fear has persisted ever since Carrick first stepped into the role.

Solskjaer also once inspired faith. He led United to the Europa League final, secured second place in the Premier League and brought Champions League football back to Old Trafford.

But it all unraveled during the 2021-22 campaign, just as United were expected to make the next move. Solskjaer eventually fell into the trap of nostalgia and questionable recruitment decisions. The pursuit of Ronaldo’s emotional return has overshadowed the team’s long-standing problem – the lack of a reliable defensive midfielder.

This is a trap Carrick must avoid in his first full season as head coach.

United will always chase brand names, but the real challenge is making sure each signing serves the system rather than disrupting it.

The midfield is now in urgent need of reinforcements Casemiro leaves and Manuel Ugarte also expected to leave. The team also requires a left back and another left winger to provide depth and competition for Matheus Cunha and Luke Shaw.

Sometimes transfer windows shape entire seasons. Every arrival must now conform to Carrick’s plan and bear his approval.

WITH Champions League football securedUnited will once again have the financial strength to compete for elite talent. But next season can’t just be about returning to relevance. It has to be about the title fight.

What United don’t want now is another false dawn. They are no longer looking for a savior or other temporary messiah to lead them back to the promised land.

They want Carrick behind the wheel. They want stability. They want to restore faith.

And if the early signs are of things to come, there is real hope that Carrick could finally be the man capable of taking United back to the top once again.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

May 23, 2026 11:06 AM IST

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