Michael Carrick has delivered a stunning start to his tenure as Manchester United's head coach, with the team now sitting in the Premier League's top four following a dramatic victory over Arsenal. However, the new boss is refusing to get carried away, urging his players to focus on building momentum rather than making premature forecasts.
A Perfect Start Under Carrick
Since taking over from Ruben Amorim, Carrick has overseen a remarkable transformation at Old Trafford. United have looked like a side reborn, securing six points from his first two games in charge. This includes impressive back-to-back victories over Manchester City and league leaders Arsenal, with Matheus Cunha's late winner at the Emirates Stadium highlighting the team's renewed quality and character.
Carrick's Cautious Approach
Despite the immediate success, Carrick remains grounded in his assessment of United's top-four hopes. After the win against Arsenal, he emphasised the importance of maintaining focus on the immediate challenges ahead. "I know from our perspective, it's just moving forward to the next game," Carrick stated. "It's been less than two weeks we've been together. So it's just keep getting good habits, really, and good routines and good habits."
The former United player warned against looking too far ahead, noting that such optimism could backfire. "Looking too far ahead can come back and bite you really," he cautioned. "So we've taken this week by week, and game by game. We'll certainly continue to do that."
Building on Confidence and Emotion
Carrick acknowledged the emotional boost from recent results but stressed the need for humility and continued effort. "We've got to ride it and use the emotion, you have got to use the energy and use the confidence," he explained. "You've got to be humble enough to understand how we could just achieve these two big results. It doesn't just come easy, so we need to continue that and bottle it and use it again."
The Premier League Landscape
United's resurgence comes at a time when the race for European qualification remains highly competitive. Beyond the top three, which includes Aston Villa, other contenders like Liverpool and Chelsea have shown inconsistency. Liverpool's winless run extended to five matches with a loss at Bournemouth, while Chelsea are still adapting to their own managerial change. Newcastle United also continue to struggle with consistency.
This context makes United's recent form even more significant. The club has only managed one top-four finish in the past four seasons, achieved during Erik ten Hag's first year in charge. Returning to the Champions League would therefore represent a major accomplishment for Carrick and his squad.
A Foundation for Future Success
Carrick's immediate impact has galvanised a team that had previously won successive games only once this season. His focus on instilling good habits and routines appears to be paying dividends, with players responding positively to his leadership. The wins over City and Arsenal have provided a crucial confidence boost, but Carrick's measured approach suggests he is keen to ensure this momentum translates into sustained performance.
As United prepare for upcoming fixtures, including a match against Fulham, Carrick's philosophy of taking things "game by game" will be put to the test. The early signs are promising, but in the unpredictable world of Premier League football, maintaining this level will require continued discipline and focus from everyone involved.
