It's nice to have a manager who looks and acts like a manager and not an overgrown manchild.
Michael Carrick - Head Coach for the remainder of the season
- Thread starter Bastian
- Start date
Really enjoying his tenure so far.
Really belies the idea you need x years in the job and x hundred million of players to be able to put some results together.
Feel good about our top 4 hopes. Strange season but somehow we are still in the race and if things stay on a similar trajectory we’ll comfortably get in there
Really belies the idea you need x years in the job and x hundred million of players to be able to put some results together.
Feel good about our top 4 hopes. Strange season but somehow we are still in the race and if things stay on a similar trajectory we’ll comfortably get in there
Team looked confident on the ball, had some ideas, players making good runs in behind (we were probably a little unlucky not to turn one of the chipped balls over the top into a goal, Mbuemo, Shaw and Bruno all got close to taking one down for a 1 on 1). No massive glaring issues defensively, we were outnumbered 3 on 2 at times in midfield, but you can't really say that it led to much at all, not like Wilson was getting shooting opportunities or Smith Rowe received a lot of passes in good spots or anything.
First minor annoying decision of his tenure - not subbing Amad, who was asleep and just stopped running before the Kevin goal - was pounced upon, but other than that, no complaints. And to be fair, the only wide man on the bench was a teenager, he didn't really have a defensive winger like Dorgu to throw on, or another CM to play Bruno wide, but should have just subbed Amad instead of Dalot for Mazraoui and let Dalot finish out the game at RW, likely ends 2-1 in that case. I love Amad, but he might be the textbook example of a player you take off with a lead late. No issues with the Ugarte sub. Casemiro needs rest, we might as well see if Ugarte is worth keeping around for one more year as a backup DM to the signing we have to make, as it will be hard to sign 2 players, and as bad as he is on the ball, he does hassle opponents, works hard and understands his job is primarily to defend.
First minor annoying decision of his tenure - not subbing Amad, who was asleep and just stopped running before the Kevin goal - was pounced upon, but other than that, no complaints. And to be fair, the only wide man on the bench was a teenager, he didn't really have a defensive winger like Dorgu to throw on, or another CM to play Bruno wide, but should have just subbed Amad instead of Dalot for Mazraoui and let Dalot finish out the game at RW, likely ends 2-1 in that case. I love Amad, but he might be the textbook example of a player you take off with a lead late. No issues with the Ugarte sub. Casemiro needs rest, we might as well see if Ugarte is worth keeping around for one more year as a backup DM to the signing we have to make, as it will be hard to sign 2 players, and as bad as he is on the ball, he does hassle opponents, works hard and understands his job is primarily to defend.
I'd like him a lot more if he pulled out the miniature tactics board during games, just once in a while.
I’d also like to see him hiding in a league two dugout during a shootout.
What a stat!!
Despite the reports this shows to me the players weren't having him from day 1, he didn't even get a new manager bounce
Harsh on Fletcher.
We're fun to watch again.
I'll have Martinez as DM. If it's just defending job, Maz is probably better also.
But understandably that Carrick wants to give Ugarte more chance and see it himself how Ugarte perform.
Mazraoui is a better shout than Martinez.
Martinez has the passing range and creativity. But yeah, Maz has the height, and probably has better cross also.
Both equally high IQ footballer, aggressive, and skillful.
Cannot disagree. We might have the best man for the job in place now - a legend and season ticket holder who gets the club - whose record in charge over two stints is now five wins and one draw in six games. But we don't want to make the ' Ole mistake' do we, oh no!!!
Instead we will follow the lead of the legend that is Roy Keane who is for once woefully off beam with his current take on this. Wait till summer and get a proven world class manager like Tuchel. Who won't be available till post World Cup in mid July and won't be involved in much needed new season recruitment and new season planning. And there is definitely no guarantee he will come. A mistake we have definitely repeated before.
But hey we gave the muppet that is Rueben Amorim 14 months managing 63 games, recording just 24 wins, the lowest win rate for a permanent United manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
So there is zero sense amongst those running our club.
He needs to do more of that stupid squat position with uncontrollable arms that managers like Arteta and Pep do.
We need to avoid echo chamber decisions. I don't buy this idea that because other experienced managers haven't worked that it makes little sense wanting to appoint another one. If you've had a series of botched operations and your appendix has burst you don't say "Those other surgeons aren't much good, my uncle Colin's useful with his hands, I'll give him a go". That isn't to say managers without top-level experience can't work either as we know there are examples where it has and examples where it hasn't.
You can't base the decision on ruling out what hasn't worked in the past or else we'd be appointing a wrestler on the basis that all those people from real sports haven't worked out so give the 400lb heffer in the leotard a try. The appointment has to be made based on the current situation. No top club would give Carrick a contract now, but if he keeps up momentum I can't see how we can replace him. It's a risk but equally so would be sacking someone who's done well and bringing in someone who mightn't do as good.
You can't base the decision on ruling out what hasn't worked in the past or else we'd be appointing a wrestler on the basis that all those people from real sports haven't worked out so give the 400lb heffer in the leotard a try. The appointment has to be made based on the current situation. No top club would give Carrick a contract now, but if he keeps up momentum I can't see how we can replace him. It's a risk but equally so would be sacking someone who's done well and bringing in someone who mightn't do as good.
Yes, a man ager
The reality with manager appointments is that it is about capturing the right man at the right time. Experienced or not.
Would we hire Jose or Ancelotti now? Or Conte?
I wouldn’t.
Even Pep looks a shadow of the manager he was. Forgetting the City links would I want this version of Pep or the one from a decade ago? I’d want the one with far less experience. The one that’s got energy, new ideas, not the one who is jaded.
You can’t appoint a manager based on a single trait, such as experience.
Echo chamber decisions
chamber decisions
chamber decisions
decisions
decisions
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ons
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Leotard a try
a try
a try
a try
try
try
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Don't underestimate Amad's defensive contribution. I recall a lot of times where he tracks back and regains possesion for us. He even did a lot of defensive support las sunday. I agree with you he was aslept in that goal, but most probably Carrick, and even Amorim before him, considers him a good player to cover our RB. To me he shouldnt be an automatic sub when we are on a lead... unless he drifts more and more away in games. Id consider this an unique event
Good to have a manager that can do the 'basics'. No more silly formations, playing players in positions they are comfortable in and making subs that actually effect the game positively for us. Hope he can keep it up for us and secure the top 4 position.
The next two games will be very interesting. Both Carrick’s old clubs to just add a little something-something to it too.
Tottenham with their decent away record - be interesting to see how we match up to them in terms of whether we expect to dominate or counter like we did in Carrick’s first two games.
Following this up to West Ham. I think we’d have covered all angles in terms of the types of game then in his first 5 games. Should give us a good idea what sort of games we may (or not) struggle in.
I think it’ll be incredibly difficult not to seriously consider him a long-term option if he wins 5 out of 5. Not saying he should get it based on that, but I think it’ll certainly out his hat firmly in the ring when it comes to the “who’ll get it?” drama come near end of the season.
I just hope he follows in the footsteps of Pep, Zidane etc of being gifted midfielders become successful managers.
Tottenham with their decent away record - be interesting to see how we match up to them in terms of whether we expect to dominate or counter like we did in Carrick’s first two games.
Following this up to West Ham. I think we’d have covered all angles in terms of the types of game then in his first 5 games. Should give us a good idea what sort of games we may (or not) struggle in.
I think it’ll be incredibly difficult not to seriously consider him a long-term option if he wins 5 out of 5. Not saying he should get it based on that, but I think it’ll certainly out his hat firmly in the ring when it comes to the “who’ll get it?” drama come near end of the season.
I just hope he follows in the footsteps of Pep, Zidane etc of being gifted midfielders become successful managers.
Love the coat look.
Very Fergiesque.
Also, the fecker seems to has a good taste in wathces, a black phantom RM.
Just needs to up his wrist watch per minute game.
Very Fergiesque.
Also, the fecker seems to has a good taste in wathces, a black phantom RM.
Just needs to up his wrist watch per minute game.
I want us to beat Spurs so bad, I would sacrifice losing to West Ham if it can guarantee us beating Spurs, do not know why but I just want to us to beat Spurs by any means necessary.
On the bolded, hard to disagree really even with the history of appointing Ole looming over us, initially, I said only winning all games will make me consider Carrick for the role, but after few games and seeing the performances, not results, but performances, I am not too opposed to the idea of Carrick being considered for the role, perhaps not after 5 consecutive wins only, but when the season ends and he manages to: -
- Get us top 4 and,
- get the team playing better and continuously improving.
Then sure, Carrick should be considered and he might be the perfect man for it if the management also does a proper job in adding more quality players, especially in CM/DM.
I'm loving everything he's done so far, but it's still sensible to wait until after the season has finished. Everything we've seen in the last few games we have seen under countless other managers. What we haven't seen yet, and has been an absolute rarity under any manager of the last few years, is consistent routine wins.
I want to see a couple of back to back 2-0 or so wins with little drama and a stranglehold on the game. I get that it's the PL and things are rarely that simple, but that is the sign of a great side for me. Show up with little fuss, get the job done and head on to the next one. Fulham at one point was looking like that, despite not having full control of the ball, I felt we were controlling the game. Hopefully we can build on that now and take it to the next game.
Tottenham will be harder than most expect, similar to Fulham, but the West Ham game I want to be a simple, clean win.
I want to see a couple of back to back 2-0 or so wins with little drama and a stranglehold on the game. I get that it's the PL and things are rarely that simple, but that is the sign of a great side for me. Show up with little fuss, get the job done and head on to the next one. Fulham at one point was looking like that, despite not having full control of the ball, I felt we were controlling the game. Hopefully we can build on that now and take it to the next game.
Tottenham will be harder than most expect, similar to Fulham, but the West Ham game I want to be a simple, clean win.
I do wish we’d be a bit more active in the press but it’s clear he prefers a mid block and I guess it’s the safer option for now.
The makeup of our midfield and defence probably dictates how we play. To squeeze teams higher up means we’re vulnerable at the back as Martinez and Maguire have no recovery pace. Same with midfield, you don’t want the gaps being too large as Casemiro and Mainoo aren’t as fast to cover those spaces.
Fulham capitalised on this and made sure they had most of the ball because of our noncommittal approach.
We could also be better at passing from the back but again we’re in win now mode so that could and should improve more with work on the training ground or whenever we get a confirmation on who our manager will be next season.
Other than that, Carrick has been great. Most importantly the team looks organised and it’s clear we know what we’re trying to accomplish on both ends of the pitch. The players look confident and he’s trying to get the best out of the attackers.
Games are fun to watch again and I’m looking forward to the next one and this hasn’t been the case for at least a couple of years.
The makeup of our midfield and defence probably dictates how we play. To squeeze teams higher up means we’re vulnerable at the back as Martinez and Maguire have no recovery pace. Same with midfield, you don’t want the gaps being too large as Casemiro and Mainoo aren’t as fast to cover those spaces.
Fulham capitalised on this and made sure they had most of the ball because of our noncommittal approach.
We could also be better at passing from the back but again we’re in win now mode so that could and should improve more with work on the training ground or whenever we get a confirmation on who our manager will be next season.
Other than that, Carrick has been great. Most importantly the team looks organised and it’s clear we know what we’re trying to accomplish on both ends of the pitch. The players look confident and he’s trying to get the best out of the attackers.
Games are fun to watch again and I’m looking forward to the next one and this hasn’t been the case for at least a couple of years.
His hat is in the ring already. Along with a few other managers I would assume. What they need to do is make sure they are not making any decisions until the end of the season. They can make plans but they need to assess all candidates properly and not make any knee jerk decisions like they did with Ole. Ole deficiencies were fairly clear from relatively early in his time with us and as soon as he was given a full contract it all started to fall apart.
If we get top 3 he’s getting the job.
No other manager is going to try and step into the job and try to do better when recent history says getting the managerial job here is career suicide.
No other manager is going to try and step into the job and try to do better when recent history says getting the managerial job here is career suicide.
This is spot on.
It would be very us for Carrick to win most of the games between now and the end of May but we go for a "big name" because that's what we think we're supposed to do.
I'd also add that the other key thing for the summer off the pitch is strengthening the wider coaching staff and bringing in more experienced people. I was always slightly uneasy with who Amorim brought in, they were all learning on the job with him.
Steve Holland is a great start and someone the players are clearly responding to. Another couple at that level and we'll be on the right path, regardless of who the main man is, but it would certainly make it a lot easier for a less experienced manager like Carrick to do well.
You are right with the next stage of our evolution. We need to have some continuity when it comes to staffing. Clearly it’s a balance, but we cannot be in the situation where we need an entire new staff every time we have a head coach. We need to stop that level of pandering to new coaches.
With stoppages we've played just under 300 minutes of football under Carrick this season. We've trailed for 8 of those 300 minutes. I don't know what will happen the rest of the way, and it's obviously too early to start drawing up a contract, but this all be it limited sample looks like so much more than your typical "new manager bounce".
As long as the results stay the same and the style of play remains, then it's a no brainer to offer him a permanent contract.
Why look elsewhere and take a risk when you are getting exactly what you want from Carrick and the backroom staff. Saves the money, and you have someone there who knows the team, who knows the club and is succeeding.
To put it in simple terms, if it ain't broke....
Why look elsewhere and take a risk when you are getting exactly what you want from Carrick and the backroom staff. Saves the money, and you have someone there who knows the team, who knows the club and is succeeding.
To put it in simple terms, if it ain't broke....
I hate to be this guy but - I thought we were thoroughly outplayed by a side worth a fraction of United.
Carrick has a monumental job of getting this midfield to actually assert some semblance of control.
Fulham walzted through us. They had more possession. Any bit more quality in their attzcking midfield and we lose that game.
the positive is that we look very dangerous going forward and the players seem happy with the plan.
I guess we are just a counter attacking team. We thrive with a bit of chaos and transitions with space. Very hard to fix this. It would require 2 new midfield starters at least and assume that Bruno is gone. Then you need to replace creativity in a big way.
Carrick has a monumental job of getting this midfield to actually assert some semblance of control.
Fulham walzted through us. They had more possession. Any bit more quality in their attzcking midfield and we lose that game.
the positive is that we look very dangerous going forward and the players seem happy with the plan.
I guess we are just a counter attacking team. We thrive with a bit of chaos and transitions with space. Very hard to fix this. It would require 2 new midfield starters at least and assume that Bruno is gone. Then you need to replace creativity in a big way.
Felt the same; shades of Ten Hag against Fulham I felt with a midfield pair pressing too high without too much intensity, too big gap between defenders (low block with Sir Harry) and them running riot into it...I dont know what the answer is here though other than personnel.
The pressing got unstuck for sure, which is something that needs fixing. But Fulham outplaying us? No, they were limited to a few chances and low xG from open play.
And there is nothing wrong with some chaos ball if it works. Our attacks weren‘t chaos ball though, if you analyze the goals they were crafted by clever play.
We‘ll see how it goes from here on, but so far well done.
Football isn’t divided into possession and counter attacking. We are just good at attacking be it from counters or when building up attacks from the get go. That’s the reason we can get away with not pressing super high because we don’t rely on winning the ball up the pitch to create chances.
I don’t think we were outplayed but Fulham were a bit unlucky not to get a draw from their overall play and pressure.
The game against City and the second half against Arsenal were very good performances but we need to see more games to get a clearer picture of how he’s going to set up.
Fulham outplayed us? We must be watching different game. We were in complete control until Casemeiro went off. We could be up 3-0 if Sesko header got in. We should also get a penalty on the Mbuemo foul.
We lost the midfield because of personnel (Case off and Ugarte in) and not the tactics. This has been our problem all season. Case can last 60-70 mins. The remaining time without him was always chaos football.
Even that we conceded a silly penalty and Fulham scored a worldie.
I wasn't happy how we played against Fulham. Fulham was brilliant but we should have done more . How many chances did we actually create from open play ?
Diallo shot
Mbeumo chance
Sesko header
Sesko goal
Cunha goal
The matches like this is where I will judge a manager. We know we can play mid block and counter. We just dont know how to win when you have to dominate.
Diallo shot
Mbeumo chance
Sesko header
Sesko goal
Cunha goal
The matches like this is where I will judge a manager. We know we can play mid block and counter. We just dont know how to win when you have to dominate.
Yeah and it's seemingly only us that does this really. There's usually at least one coach that stays at a club when the manager/head coach leaves. Holland worked with a few different managers at Chelsea
Kidd at city worked with Hughes, Mancini, Pellegrini and Guardiola.
If Sesko scores that header, the game is done. Fulham probably move into damage limitation mode and we see the game out comfortably.
I'd add that this was a decent Fulham side and it's a very good three points.