In just 4 matches, Carrick achieved what Amorim could not.

Not only did he help Manchester United secure crucial victories in the Premier League, but the former English midfielder also set a record that his predecessor Ruben Amorim failed to accomplish during more than a year in charge.

After Ruben Amorim was dismissed, Manchester United entered a turbulent transition period. Amid this situation, Michael Carrick unexpectedly became the interim choice until the end of the season. Few anticipated that after just four matches in charge, the former Red Devils legend would leave a significant mark, even breaking statistics that his predecessor couldn’t reach in over a year at the helm.

Michael Carrick was appointed to replace Ruben Amorim in January, following Manchester United’s decision to terminate the Portuguese coach’s contract. Amorim left Old Trafford after 14 contentious months, with tactical and personnel instability being among the main reasons.

In contrast, Carrick presented a completely different image. Within his first four games, the 44-year-old interim manager led Manchester United to impressive wins over Man City, Arsenal, and Fulham in the Premier League. It was not just the results but Carrick’s management style that caught the attention of fans and experts alike.

Before the Tottenham match, Carrick surprised again by keeping the starting lineup unchanged—something he also did in the victory over Arsenal, which featured the exact same lineup that defeated Man City earlier. Thus, in just four matches, Carrick twice consecutively used an unchanged starting eleven, a record that Ruben Amorim only achieved once in a total of 47 Premier League games.

The only personnel change Carrick made during this period was introducing Matheus Cunha into the starting eleven to replace the injured Patrick Dorgu. Apart from that, the core group of 11 players remained almost intact, clearly reflecting Carrick’s philosophy of stability and absolute trust in his squad.

Meanwhile, under Amorim, Manchester United frequently rotated their lineup. The only time the Portuguese coach kept the starting eleven unchanged was after a 4-2 victory over Brighton, before the team drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest. Shortly after, Amorim made numerous changes, benching many young players.

Not only did Carrick excel in maintaining stability, but he also earned praise for his gentle yet disciplined approach. He regularly watched the U21 team’s matches—more often than his predecessor. Additionally, Carrick adjusted the team’s routine by giving players a rest day after each match, changing habits that had persisted throughout the tenures of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.

Notably, in the squad list for the Tottenham match, Carrick made only one change on the bench by calling up Tyler Fletcher, Darren Fletcher’s son, instead of Shea Lacey. This was seen as a clear message that Carrick is willing to give opportunities but is cautious not to disrupt the effective stability.