Michael Carrick is the face of Manchester United's unlikely push for a Champions League return, and, in some ways, rightly so. Much of the focus has understandably been on United's free-flowing attacking football across those games. Ten goals scored against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur - including three at the Emirates, where Arsenal had previously only shipped five in 11 outings - is not to be snuffed at.
Michael Carrick is the face of Manchester United's unlikely push for a Champions League return, and, in some ways, rightly so.
He is in charge of the dressing room, so he has to get the players on side and inspire them to win football matches. It's fair to say, after four victories from four, he's succeeding.
Much of the focus has understandably been on United's free-flowing attacking football across those games.
Ten goals scored against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur - including three at the Emirates, where Arsenal had previously only shipped five in 11 outings - is not to be snuffed at.
However, United have been scoring goals at will all season. The dramatic defensive improvement has been the foundation of the Red Devils' revival.
Open play xG (expected goals) conceded in Carrick's four matches? Man City, 0.36. Arsenal, 0.39. Fulham, 0.43. Spurs, 0.55.
United kept clean sheets against City and Spurs, while Arsenal profited from a fortunate own-goal and a scrappy corner. Fulham netted through a penalty and Kevin's wonder strike.
Steve Holland was always going to be a smart appointment as Carrick's Number two. Not only is he a lifelong United supporter, but he is a specialist in defensive set-up.
Years of experience contributing towards the success of managers like Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Gareth Southgate in huge jobs is now showing at Old Trafford.
Carrick deserves his mass praise, as do his other assistants Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion and Jonny Evans.
But Holland and United is a match made in heaven, and he must stay on, regardless of who takes the helm next season.
It's another week, and now another test. West Ham has been a hopeless hunting ground for United in recent years.
The Hammers' recent resurgence - fuelled by Crysencio Summerville's five-match scoring streak, ever-dangerous captain Jarrod Bowen and in-form talents El Hadji Malick Diouf and Matheus Fernandes - poses a serious risk of more misery.
But United can visit the London Stadium with confidence that the attack can score goals and that the defence can keep them out.
Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC
Category: General Sports
