Michael Carrick's reign as interim manager of Manchester United is off to a flying start, with the club winning three consecutive matches and climbing back into the top four. But it's not just his tactical decisions that have caught the eye; it's also his willingness to challenge and adapt the old ways. Carrick has already made his mark by overhauling Ruben Amorim's stodgy 3-4-3 formation and bringing back Kobbie Mainoo into the starting eleven. However, it's his approach to post-match recovery and training that has sparked the most interest.
Amorim and Erik ten Hag shared a common belief in the importance of training the day after matches, a practice that Carrick has now abandoned. Instead, he has introduced allocated days off in the 24 hours after a match, moving recovery sessions to two days after the final whistle. This shift in approach is just one example of Carrick's determination to bring his own rules and beliefs to the club.
Carrick's impact extends beyond the training ground. He has made training sessions shorter but more intense, and altered the time his team arrives for matches. These changes have already paid dividends, with United's last-ditch victory over Fulham lifting them into the top four. With 15 games left in the season, Carrick's chances of securing the full-time manager role are growing.
Former team-mate Ben Foster even believes there's a slim chance Carrick will be named as the next United boss at the end of the season. However, the challenge remains to maintain the dynamic and friendly atmosphere that has characterized his interim spell. As Carrick continues to lead the team, the question remains: can he keep up the momentum and secure the job permanently?
