Michael Carrick’s time in charge of Manchester United was very different to that of his predecessor Ruben Amorim.
The Englishman is on a five-game unbeaten run as interim manager, taking 13 points from a possible 15 in the Premier League and making it four wins from the first time of asking.
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Amorim used the exact same group of players and never managed to do either. The reasons why the two head coaches had such wildly different experiences with the same team are varied and often include numbers like No. 3 and No. 4, but their use of personnel is one of the most notable differences in approach.
The more things change, the more they stay the same
Amorim would tinker with his squad endlessly, with his backline made up of centre-backs of different shapes and sizes, while Carrick made as few changes to his starting line-up as medical treatment allowed.
There is no reason to change the line-up that defeated Manchester City away at Arsenal, with Carrick’s only rotation so far being Matheus Cunha replacing the injured Patrick Dorgu.
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That’s it, folks. Carrick’s insistence on his strongest team was his interpretation of Amorim’s stubborn 3-4-2-1 maximalism, but only one of these beliefs has stood up to scrutiny.
winners and losers
Simple common sense is one of Carrick’s real strengths – if something works, don’t change it. You don’t forget that he changes something that isn’t working, so his selection for the Everton game will be fascinating after last week’s difficult trip to West Ham.
His approach has brought success to many teams – Manchester United being one of them – but has also dealt a blow to some players who are suddenly more marginalized than they were six weeks ago.
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Young centre-backs Lenny Yoro and Aiden Haven are two of the biggest losers in this regard. Yoro played 23 minutes in Carrick’s five games, while Paradise made just one appearance (according to Transfermarkt).
if it ain’t broken
It’s natural to feel sympathy for these promising players, whose combined age is Tom Heaton, but it’s wrong to turn their lack of playing time into an issue. They weren’t necessarily the reason for their absence, and their new head coach didn’t do them wrong.
Carrick’s defense has kept two clean sheets in five games, doubling United’s goal tally in their previous 21 league games. This is achieved through a solid starting quartet of Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot, and it would be reasonable to assume there is a positive correlation between time spent on the pitch and effectiveness as a defensive unit.
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The “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality applies across the park, but nothing is more important than having a stable base in defence, and if this group of experienced players can deliver what Carrick wants, making changes would be a foolhardy move for a manager who has so far been remarkably clinical.
defensive depth
Despite the team’s overall flaws, United were rich in defensive options and Amorim took full advantage. Not only did he start with three central defenders, but he also often substituted those positions in the second half to share playing time.
But that’s not to say that with the departure of the Portuguese, the defensive elimination will be enough. For better or worse, life outside of Maguire is fast approaching – his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and while an extension isn’t impossible, it’s not guaranteed either. Even though he’s playing well now, he’s approaching 33 and entering the twilight of his career, so a succession plan is definitely in the works.
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Matthijs de Ligt waits in the wings but is out injured for several months, raising questions about his long-term durability, meaning minutes for Yoro or Paradise will become a mathematical certainty sooner or later.
bright future
The pair both have youth and first-team experience, making them perfect options as favorites at Old Trafford at the start of next season.
For the sake of the team, they may temporarily warm up their bench, but any talk of their long-term or even bleak mid-term prospects must be nipped in the bud and dismissed as nonsense.
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It would be patently absurd for any player to take these five games, or even the rest of the season, to heart. They must focus on next season, when United will have a busier schedule, when the club’s strengths will become clear and opportunities will be plentiful.
Now, they must put their heads down and be part of a team filled with newfound positivity — and every indication is that they are doing just that. Both youngsters are likely to play important roles at Old Trafford for many years to come.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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