It is not easy to pick a clear man of the match from Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Fulham, with several players turning in strong performances for Michael Carrick. It is three wins from three games under Carrick at Manchester United, and that impressive start has only strengthened his case for getting the job permanently in the summer.
It is not easy to pick a clear man of the match from Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Fulham, with several players turning in strong performances for Michael Carrick.
It is three wins from three games under Carrick at Manchester United, and that impressive start has only strengthened his case for getting the job permanently in the summer.
The club set Champions League qualification as the target when he took over, which seemed ambitious given the state of things at the time, but it is looking more realistic now.
Carrick has made a string of smart calls during his short spell in charge so far, and his tactical setups have been well-received. One decision in particular continues to pay off – once again making a real difference against Fulham.
Michael Carrick enjoying Kobbie Mainoo’s performances
Before Carrick took charge, Mainoo was on the verge of leaving the club after a tough spell under Ruben Amorim. But since then, he has been superb.
Mainoo has started every match under the new manager and put in another strong display against Fulham, continuing a run of form that is hard to ignore.
Carrick has brought Mainoo back into a central role for United, where he has played an important part in each win and worked well alongside Casemiro.
Following the victory over Fulham, the English head coach spoke highly of Mainoo when addressing the media.
“Without the ball, he was terrific. And then with the ball, the ability to cope, he’s not fazed by it. He just plays his game and understands what is needed. The moments of quality, it’s what we expect from him, but you also forget how young he is,” he said.
“Seeing him today play with that confidence and belief, it was a real joy to watch.”
Carrick is well-suited to help Mainoo reach his potential. His own experience as a midfielder gives him insight into how best to develop young talent like this one.
Kobbie Mainoo’s return to form under Michael Carrick has been one of the standout stories of the season
Amorim, for reasons that remain unclear, did not seem convinced by Mainoo, despite the midfielder having already shown he was capable of playing at this level. The decision clearly affected him.
Carrick has helped the 20-year-old regain both his confidence and his form, bringing him back to the levels he showed before Euro 2024. It has been quite a turnaround.
Owen Hargreaves remarked on how remarkable it was for Mainoo to step back in after such a long spell out and immediately perform against top opposition. He pointed out that not many could do what the Carrington product did.
Carrick deserves credit here, not just for believing in him but also for setting up the team in a way that allows the talented midfielder to play to his strengths.
And it looks like there is still plenty more to come from him this season.
Category: General Sports
