Michael Carrick - Head Coach for the remainder of the season

DJ_21 said:
Agree. I’m a bit worried that Carrick isn’t that flexible and he’s going to stick with the same 11 every week depending on injuries. I’d like to try Mbeumo and Amad out wide with Sesko in the middle.
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Yeah, or just have the wingers battle it out. One poor game and you sit it out
 
Church o Choccy said:
Chuffed with the result but the performance shouldn't go unnoticed. We weren't awful and had some decent in-possession play but anyone getting carried away about Carrick getting the job would do well to calm down off the back of that. Still not reliably maintaining control against low-mid block teams and still particularly bad at holding a lead. That could have easily been a Ten Hag or Amorim performance, not much has changed.

Essentially the last 3 games have gone about as well as I could have wished them to go but the City game was the only one where I saw something vaguely different from a United perspective. Spurs and West Ham before the international break - if we see some improvement in those matches in terms of possession and xGD then there's some room for optimism, but at the moment I'd be pretty cautious about getting on the Carrick hype train.
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Literally who does that? Tare we playing pub teams that you expect us to have control of the entire game? If Maguire isn' an idiot we easily come away with a routine 3-0 here.
 
fecking hell just enjoy it. I get emotions run high during matches and we all say shite but just enjoy the fact we’ve won games.

The season has been shite and could well turn to shite again but we’ve won 3 in a row playing some good stuff along the way. Yet we still have moaners. Who gives a feck one way or another if Carrick stays or if he’s good enough or whatever. Just stop with the constant “but um this/that wasn’t quite up to scratch” shite.

A nitpickers anonymous podcast would be a tremendous spin off for this forum.
 
He has done an excellent job thus far. He has answered two critical questions:

1. Can we compete with the best teams in the leage
2. Can we beat mid-upper table tricky teams

The next one is if we can comfortably beat the worser teams in the league who will sit behind the ball all match and blunt our counter attacking edge.

He has also maintained consistency over the 3 games. The players are clearly buying in and responding to his management.
 
fallengt said:
And Urgarte substitution...
It turned into a different game when he was subbed on
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It's a rock and a hard place decision with subbing on Ugarte. It's either Casemiro who is quite often fading towards the end of the game or a far inferior Ugarte with fresh legs. Casemiro was also on a yellow and absolutely cannot get a suspension.

I'm sure Carrick is aware Ugarte is weaker than Casemiro. Amorim probably even knew it. The problem is there is no real alternative.
 
INEOS kept Amorim despite the abject performances AND results

Surely Carrick is well on the way to making it impossible not to offer him the job with these results and performances
 
I’m loving this form right now. My only question is if this style of playing is sustainable when we are competing on multiple fronts?

I think any trophy hunting team needs a solid structure - but not a rigid one like Amorim’s. Perhaps we do have one under Carrick. I’m not sure.
 
DRJosh said:
I’m loving this form right now. My only question is if this style of playing is sustainable when we are competing on multiple fronts?

I think any trophy hunting team needs a solid structure - but not a rigid one like Amorim’s. Perhaps we do have one under Carrick. I’m not sure.
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I don't think it's about structure or systems.

It's about that combination of athleticism and ball playing in the middle of the pitch.

Stating the obvious but right now the CB's and three in midfield are all one paced.

A system can't make that central 5 play high up the pitch and function. It just needs new playing talent.
 
MiceOnMeth said:
INEOS kept Amorim despite the abject performances AND results

Surely Carrick is well on the way to making it impossible not to offer him the job with these results and performances
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I’m happy we’ve won three games, but this is the sort of thinking that has us floundering over the last 10+ years.

It’s been 3 games. He should still not even be in consideration.
 
Please show some common sense and get this guy a proper holding cm, preferably young to understudy Casimero till the end of the season. Not only does Ugarte look out of his depth, he's not even a holding Cm.

We should be taking that Semenyo money and spending it here immediately.
 
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pcaming said:
I’m happy we’ve won three games, but this is the sort of thinking that has us floundering over the last 10+ years.

It’s been 3 games. He should still not even be in consideration.
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Who would we get out of curiosity? We’re so exciting to watch now, and with the right recruitment can win things by being class to watch too. It feels like Ole, sure, but we’ve learnt a fecking lot about recruitment since Ole.

I really think sticking with this is a better option than hoping managers who’ve been sacked by other top clubs can do any better.
 
People talking about Fulham like they're relegation fodder that we should dominate for 90 (well, 100+) minutes.

They'd only be a point behind us in the table if they won today, they're no mugs. And they didn't create a hell of a lot of chances.

I will agree though that we're still too easy to play through the midfield, but that's been a problem at club for years, asking a lot for Carrick to suddenly fix it after 3 weeks.
 
I’m happy with his performances against the so called big teams, but I want to see more against the teams below us in the league.

That’s an issue we have had for years now. Today didn’t fill me with confidence that he can solve it, but it’s only early, let’s see by the end of the season,
 
pcaming said:
I’m happy we’ve won three games, but this is the sort of thinking that has us floundering over the last 10+ years.

It’s been 3 games. He should still not even be in consideration.
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I'm just saying by INEOS standards that they set during the Amorim era Carrick is basically Fergie reincarnated and has to get the job
 
I'd like him to be given next season. I'm convinced he's up to the job and I don't want us to regret letting it pass if we bring in another high profile disaster.
 
He's done a really good job thus far. Far too early to give him the job though. Ideally need someone like Enrique or Nagelsmann to take us to the next level. If we can't get a manager of that ilk, then I'm more inclined to give it to him on a short term basis if he's got us top 4. It's not like he's done anything revolutionary either, he's an average/above average coach who has decided to keep things simple but it just goes to show how football doesn't have to be that complicated and also poor a job his predecessor had done.
 
Yoro99 said:
I’m happy with his performances against the so called big teams, but I want to see more against the teams below us in the league.

That’s an issue we have had for years now. Today didn’t fill me with confidence that he can solve it, but it’s only early, let’s see by the end of the season,
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I mainly concur with this and particularly the part in bold. The ability to put in some form of dominant performance (or at least for the players to able to impose themselves over the opposition) in the four matches which followed the Arsenal victory was to me somewhat of a litmus test. By which I mean how good the team actually is in a broader sense. There were some concerns today but still time to improve in the other games that are to follow. However, I do also feel certain limitations will remain unresolved until significant recruitment (most pressingly in the midfield) is undertaken in the summer.
 
This does feel a bit like Ole. We shouldn't jump the gun. How many games did Ole have, including the PSG win where he was given the job. I think it was around 10? We went on a slump after he was given the job full time and if Woodward waited until the end of the season he would have probably gone for someone else.

Carrick will have 17 games in total this season. Nearly half a prem season. The only 2 teams he won't face are Wolves and Burnley who are the 2 worst teams. I think 17 games against the best 17 teams in the premier league is a decent sample size to asses him at the end of the season but we should not consider appointing him early just because we're on a good run.

I would like him to do well and get the job though. Love what I've seen so far!
 
Borussia Teeth said:
This does feel a bit like Ole. We shouldn't jump the gun. How many games did Ole have, including the PSG win where he was given the job. I think it was around 10? We went on a slump after he was given the job full time and if Woodward waited until the end of the season he would have probably gone for someone else.

Carrick will have 17 games in total this season. Nearly half a prem season. The only 2 teams he won't face are Wolves and Burnley who are the 2 worst teams. I think 17 games against the best 17 teams in the premier league is a decent sample size to asses him at the end of the season but we should not consider appointing him early just because we're on a good run.

I would like him to do well and get the job though. Love what I've seen so far!
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As interim manager his record was:

WWWWWWWWDWWLWDWWWLL (14 wins in 19 games)

Then he closed out the season as permanent manager with:

WLLWLLLDDL (2 wins in 10 games)

And opened the next season with:

WDLDWWLDDDLD (3 wins in 12 games)

So technically the slump actually began with the losses to Arsenal & Wolves before he was appointed permanent manager. But at that stage people were already all in on him.
 
sullydnl said:
As interim manager his record was:

WWWWWWWWDWWLWDWWWLL (14 wins in 19 games)

Then he closed out the season as permanent manager with:

WLLWLLLDDL (2 wins in 10 games)

And opened the next season with:

WDLDWWLDDDLD (3 wins in 12 games)

So technically the slump actually began with the losses to Arsenal & Wolves before he was appointed permanent manager. But at that stage people were already all in on him.
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Think your dates are off. Wasn’t it only the Arsenal loss? wolves was once permanent.
 
tomaldinho1 said:
Think your dates are off. Wasn’t it only the Arsenal loss? wolves was once permanent.
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I think we played Wolves twice in three games, once in the FA Cup and once in the league, and he was hired in between the two. You're thinking of the second game, but the first happened right before he was officially announced as permanent manager.
 
sullydnl said:
I think we played Wolves twice in three games, once in the FA Cup and once in the league, and he was hired in between the two. You're thinking of the second game, but the first happened right before he was officially announced as permanent manager.
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Ah might be - was thinking just of the PL but you are likely right, we defo got knocked out a cup by them.
 
Borussia Teeth said:
This does feel a bit like Ole. We shouldn't jump the gun. How many games did Ole have, including the PSG win where he was given the job. I think it was around 10? We went on a slump after he was given the job full time and if Woodward waited until the end of the season he would have probably gone for someone else.

Carrick will have 17 games in total this season. Nearly half a prem season. The only 2 teams he won't face are Wolves and Burnley who are the 2 worst teams. I think 17 games against the best 17 teams in the premier league is a decent sample size to asses him at the end of the season but we should not consider appointing him early just because we're on a good run.

I would like him to do well and get the job though. Love what I've seen so far!
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17 games with no other competitions in the mix will never be a fair representative sample of a typical United season. I don’t think Carrick should have the job unless we pull off the unthinkable like a title challenge.
 
sullydnl said:
As interim manager his record was:

WWWWWWWWDWWLWDWWWLL (14 wins in 19 games)

Then he closed out the season as permanent manager with:

WLLWLLLDDL (2 wins in 10 games)

And opened the next season with:

WDLDWWLDDDLD (3 wins in 12 games)

So technically the slump actually began with the losses to Arsenal & Wolves before he was appointed permanent manager. But at that stage people were already all in on him.
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Wow, 19 games! I thought it was a lot less.
 
Biggest difference between Carrick and Amorim? Carrick’s calmness. And the players seem more relaxed now.
 
In many ways last night's game was absolutely perfect for Carrick -- just what the doctor ordered. Enough cracks/imperfections to keep him from getting carried away, but a dramatic Fergie-time winner nonetheless to further lift the mood and morale of the squad.
 
Galactic said:
Biggest difference between Carrick and Amorim? Carrick’s calmness. And the players seem more relaxed now.
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Energy is contagious. When the manager stays calm under pressure the players absorb that steadiness -- they play with clearer heads. His energy right now seems to be exactly what we need right now and it's showing in the results and performances.
 
pcaming said:
I’m happy we’ve won three games, but this is the sort of thinking that has us floundering over the last 10+ years.

It’s been 3 games. He should still not even be in consideration.
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Of course he has to be in consideration! Obviously 3 games is way too early to make a judgement, but to say he shouldn't even be in consideration is ridiculous!

And as for floundering over the last 10+ years, our 2 worst league finishes since the Fergie era have come under 2 Eurohipster coaches, so maybe a lot of fans are not keen on going down that road again!
 
Our floundering in the last 13 years is the result of doing comparisons. Ruben was the new Fergie. And we are all seeing it now, Carrick is the new Ole.
 
He gets us top four then he for sure should get an interview. However, Ineos would be lunatics not to interview all the managers they are interested in. Things are looking up, yet Carrick has the luxury?....much like Amorim, who didn't take advantage, of having to only play one match a week. He doesn't have to deal with all the extra games, FA Cup, League Cup and Europe bring.
 
Oscar Bonavena said:
People talking about Fulham like they're relegation fodder that we should dominate for 90 (well, 100+) minutes.

They'd only be a point behind us in the table if they won today, they're no mugs. And they didn't create a hell of a lot of chances.

I will agree though that we're still too easy to play through the midfield, but that's been a problem at club for years, asking a lot for Carrick to suddenly fix it after 3 weeks.
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Exactly. Carrick addressed it in his post match comments. He mentioned that he disagreed with the pundits on Fulham playing a low block and hence it would be a different challenge for his team. They would come out and attack for sure and that’s what they did.

We are overanalysing it to be honest. They are a good team and are adept at beating the press. Yes our organisation was a bit all over the place and we didn’t look so well drilled yesterday (unlike Arsenal and Man City) but that is expected from a team that is trying to express themselves. We have kept our discipline against tougher opposition but you can’t be executing that gameplan against all opponents.

By biggest concern from the last 20 mins was Mainoo looked gassed even after sitting on the bench for so long and playing 1 game a week. What will we do next year when Casemiro leaves and we only have him (a youngster) as the only established central midfielder?
 
One thing that has improved even though it’s less said is the ability to go a level up when we need to. We did it yesterday and against Arsenal. I used to look at United chasing a game and wondering if they are actually trying to score. Now in 2 consecutive games, they scored within 5 min to restore a lead. Long may it continue
 
Fulham were able to by-pass our first line of press with an extra man in midfield, at a stage Mainoo was pushing up the pitch to mark their extra man.This left a bit of hole in our midfield because (1)Our defenders lacking pace refused to push up and squeeze the pitch.(2) Our CMs also lack pace.This has been an issue since ole ,and has been one of the reasons we have struggled against the so called small teams.

This is a personel problem rather than system problem.MDL is a big miss,if he was fit,i would pair him with Licha(Yoro would have been another alternative but his is young and not having a good season).

Another Issue is the drop off in quality when Casemiro is substituted,I may play Maz or Heaven as his replacement before considering Ugarte.
I think one of these issues may lead us dropping points at home .

Fulham are a decent side,and Silver is a clever coach,I will wait till we play teams with low blocks at home.
 
Mike Smalling said:
It's a rock and a hard place decision with subbing on Ugarte. It's either Casemiro who is quite often fading towards the end of the game or a far inferior Ugarte with fresh legs. Casemiro was also on a yellow and absolutely cannot get a suspension.

I'm sure Carrick is aware Ugarte is weaker than Casemiro. Amorim probably even knew it. The problem is there is no real alternative.
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Agree, but Ugarte is so poor that we have to start getting creative rather than bringing him on. Move Lisandro to DM? Can Mazraoui play there for 10-15 mins? Anything other than Ugarte.
 
I am so happy he is our manager right now, and we are winning games, not getting carried away obviously, all I want from Carrick is to setup the team in the best possible way according to what suits them and get results and he has done that very well so far.
 
Thought he did well pre-match to temper expectations that were starting to build in the media and amongst some fans, of this being a game we would dominate as if we are playing a L2 side.

Whilst our problems have been the lower/lower mid sides, Fulham were coming into the game off a great run of their own, sitting 1 place behind us in the table and capable of giving anyone in the PL a good game.

Until the penalty it was a professional if not perfect performance. We took our chances well, and Fulham didn't take theirs. It was not a dominant performance where we had wave after wave of attack, but I don't think Fulham have been beaten like that once this season, so I'm not sure why that's what people were expecting from us.
 
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