Manchester United have won four of four under Michael Carrick
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester United recorded their fourth straight win under Michael Carrick last weekend, seeing off Tottenham Hotspur by a 2-0 scoreline at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were helped by Cristian Romero’s first half red card but looked in control for the entire game, restricting Spurs to one shot on target.
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United are keeping it simple
Bruno Fernandes is in great form under Michael Carrick (Image credit: Getty Images)Speaking ahead of the midweek Premier League action on TNT Sports, pundit and ex-Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves shared his expert opinion on why everything appears to have gone according to plan since the change in the dugout.
“It’s a combination of everything,” Hargreaves told FourFourTwo. “You’d have to say, it’s been flawless. I don’t think anybody could say anything else. Morale is better, fans are happy, team is playing better, most important thing [is] they’re winning. I think the good thing is, as well, he’s flexible, Carrick is.
Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick (Image credit: Getty Images)”I don’t understand why all these managers getting so stubborn about ‘this is how I play’. I’ve never played in two games of football that looked the same ever, in my whole life. So, why would I want to play the same way all the time so that the other two knows what I’m going to do?
“I think Carras [Carrick] has done a good job of being adaptive and finding different solutions.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
“And then you get a guy like Bruno playing his natural position. Get it to him, he’ll create, he’s the best creator in the division.”
Bruno Fernandes scored his sixth goal of the campaign to make sure of all three points last Saturday, in addition to the 12 assists he has already accumulated this term.
Hargreaves believes consistency in team selection, trusting in the players to deliver without changing too much and straight-forward tactical messaging has all contributed to Manchester United’s recent results.
“Mike’s just gone, ‘Yeah, I’m playing Lisandro [Martinez], playing Harry [Maguire]’, Casemiro in front, playing as a six. He’s not playing in a two anymore, so he doesn’t have to cover big spaces. He’s got Kobbie to help give him legs, protect him, and then midfield three can play. And he’s got Bruno as a 10.
“He’s not over-complicated it, he’s put people in the positions where they’re good, and he’s not given them too much instruction, and he’s trusted them to play. And it’s working.
“Everybody just seems to be on the same page. You think back to Ruben, it’s not a criticism but he changed those back three so much, in game as well.
“Every great team I can think of, United, Arsenal, Chelsea; Terry and Carvalho, Ferdinand and Vidic, Adams and Keown, Bould, whatever. There’s so many of them. Every team you can think of had that,” Hargreaves added.
All of the midweek Premier League football is live on TNT Sports. Manchester United face West Ham at the London Stadium on Tuesday evening, broadcast from 8:15pm on TNT Sports 1.
Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe’s ‘Mastermind’ specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James’ Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have ‘hit top bins’ as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn’t a shin-roller.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
