The new manager bounce usually exists because the new manager brings in some ideas that the other team is not prepared for and the players typically want to make a point to the new boss.
4 games in, I think we're past the initial surge. There is a risk of complacency from our players today who may not be as motivated to show what they've got as they were against City or Spurs. Also, Nuno - a reactive manager who typically has our number - now knows exactly how Carrick likes to set up and which patterns to expect from under Carrick's United, given that we've not changed much so far.
At some point, someone will try to exploit vulnerabilities in Carrick's setup (sit deep and catch Cas out of position to start counters, show Cunha only out wide to force crosses, deny Mbeumo space to run into, man mark Bruno or Amad, overload against Dalot), and at some point they'll work.
This is when you expect good managers to earn their keep, by reacting well. Amorim was haplessly poor at this part of the job. I think it'll be a tougher start than we expect, and though I'd like for us to go out there and smash them 5-0, I'm also looking forward to how Carrick responds in case we get outplayed initially and go down a goal. A good tactical read mid-game and corresponding changes would go a long way to strengthen his case for the role permanently.
4 games in, I think we're past the initial surge. There is a risk of complacency from our players today who may not be as motivated to show what they've got as they were against City or Spurs. Also, Nuno - a reactive manager who typically has our number - now knows exactly how Carrick likes to set up and which patterns to expect from under Carrick's United, given that we've not changed much so far.
At some point, someone will try to exploit vulnerabilities in Carrick's setup (sit deep and catch Cas out of position to start counters, show Cunha only out wide to force crosses, deny Mbeumo space to run into, man mark Bruno or Amad, overload against Dalot), and at some point they'll work.
This is when you expect good managers to earn their keep, by reacting well. Amorim was haplessly poor at this part of the job. I think it'll be a tougher start than we expect, and though I'd like for us to go out there and smash them 5-0, I'm also looking forward to how Carrick responds in case we get outplayed initially and go down a goal. A good tactical read mid-game and corresponding changes would go a long way to strengthen his case for the role permanently.
