Gary Neville has revealed he has been "blown away" by the remarkable transformation of Manchester United under the interim management of Michael Carrick. The former United captain and Sky Sports pundit expressed his astonishment at the team's dramatic shift in performance following two stunning victories against Premier League title contenders.
Remarkable Turnaround in Form and Tactics
Carrick, appointed as head coach until the season's end, has masterminded two consecutive impressive wins against formidable opposition. Following a confident 2-0 derby triumph over local rivals Manchester City, United travelled to the Emirates Stadium to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory against league leaders Arsenal, courtesy of Matheus Cunha's 87th-minute winner.
Neville, speaking on his podcast, highlighted several key improvements he has observed. "The intensity, the compactness, the aggression of the defending, their willingness to get behind the ball together and be difficult to beat and dig in when you're in difficult moments of the game," he stated, emphasising the defensive solidity that has been restored.
Restoring Simplicity to United's Play
The former England international particularly praised Carrick for instilling a sense of simplicity that had been missing under previous manager Ruben Amorim. Amorim, who was dismissed after fourteen months in charge, was wedded to a complex 3-4-2-1 formation that often stifled United's attacking potential.
Under Carrick's guidance, United have reverted to a classic 4-2-3-1 system, which appears to have liberated their forward players. This tactical shift has yielded five goals in just two matches against the Premier League's top two sides, showcasing a renewed attacking threat.
"He's definitely instilled a simplicity to it in the last two weeks, in the last two games, that I like about it," Neville continued. "[The 4-2-3-1] is my favourite system. We've talked about it a lot, the idea of a talented player playing off a striker, two wide players narrowing in midfield, a back four that's really aggressive. It's been a huge turn."
Praise Amidst Caution and Contrasting Opinions
While Neville admitted he is trying not to get "carried away" by just two victories, he insisted that Carrick and the playing squad deserve enormous credit for bringing what he described as the "magic" back to Old Trafford. He even tipped the resurgent side to secure a Champions League qualification spot, with the win over Arsenal helping to consolidate their fourth-place position.
However, not all former United legends share Neville's effusive praise. Fellow pundit Roy Keane offered a more cautious perspective, despite acknowledging the positive results.
"You're being silly now," Keane responded when it was suggested Carrick might be the long-term solution. "Two great performances but anyone can win two games. Even if they do get into fourth, I still wouldn't be convinced he's the man for the job. Absolutely not. They need a bigger and better manager."
A Newfound Threat and Collective Spirit
Neville further elaborated on the team's improvements, highlighting the balance between defensive resilience and attacking flair. "But the big thing for me is that they've got a threat up front," he added. "They've got a group of players who are talented up front, who are also getting back and helping their defenders, who are digging in."
He suggested that the recent performances justify the frustration expressed by many club legends over United's inconsistent form earlier in the season. Neville pointed to disappointing results against teams like Everton, Wolves, and West Ham as examples of missed opportunities that the current resurgence seems to be rectifying.
"And they've proved it in these last two games, they have really proved that they can get compact, they can stay together, be aggressive in their shape, can spring out of that shape and play good football and counter-attack and hurt teams, and they can score great goals and get bodies in the box," Neville concluded. "It's been thrilling to watch these last two matches, it really has, and it's a remarkable turnaround."
The stark contrast between Neville's admiration and Keane's scepticism sets the stage for an intriguing debate about Carrick's long-term future at the club, as United's season enters its decisive phase.
