Behind Michael Carrick's Honeymoon with MU's "King"

In the past week, the title "king" for Manchester United has begun to change its meaning. From merely a satire directed at the largest club in England that has lost its aura for more than a decade, it has transformed into a status that can once again be a source of pride. MU seems to dominate the English League after their last two matches.

How could it not be, "The Red Devil" defeated Arsenal and Manchester City consecutively. These two teams are the strongest candidates for the league championship this season. Remarkably, the victories were not merely a result of luck. MU is one level above its opponents and deserves to win.

All of this is thanks to the capable hands of interim coach Michael Carrick. In just two weeks, he has managed to transform the team's mediocre status from the previous coach Ruben Amorim's era. Is this merely a coincidence, like the performance spikes that often occur during a coaching transition? It is possible.

There is something special about this team. Their style of play is convincing. I must congratulate Carrick; he has created something.

However, it is important to note that Carrick is not the first interim coach to fill the vacancy left by Amorim. Former MU midfielder Darren Fletcher had previously taken charge for two matches following Amorim's dismissal. As a result, they failed to secure consecutive victories and were also eliminated from the FA Cup.

All MU fans around the world can certainly feel that there is something different about Bruno Fernandes and his teammates in the Carrick era. This is also what former Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, observed after facing "The Red Devils" numerous times.

"There is something special about this team. The way they play is convincing. I must congratulate Carrick, he has created something," said Wenger during a Bein Sports event, after Arsenal lost to MU 2-3 at the Emirates Stadium, London, Monday (26/1/2026 WIB).

Carrick's greatest success is his ability to restore the club's DNA. MU once again appears to be a great team hungry for victory. They attack and defend together as one unit, much like a military force. This factor of unity may sound cliché, but it was often overlooked by the MU squad in previous eras.

After raising the players' awareness, the former MU midfielder was able to easily implement the desired strategy. This was evident in their defensive performance in the last two matches, especially against Arsenal. MU was able to close many gaps that had often been exposed throughout this season.

MU's defense is very solid in all phases of defending, from high to low blocks. When using a high block, only two players are tasked with pressing three Arsenal players, namely Bryan Mbeumo and Fernandes. However, they run with all their might to limit the progression space of the opposing players.

Thanks to that hard work, the MU players in the midfield were able to contain their opponents in one-on-one situations. Arsenal panicked under that pressure, which led to a blunder by Martin Zubimendi resulting in the equalizing goal by Mbeumo. MU's high block was not easily penetrated as usual.

The biggest weakness of MU in low blocks has also been addressed. They were often punished due to the movements of opponents from the second line. Against Arsenal, "The Red Devils" were able to utilize five to six players simultaneously on the last line. Other players, such as midfielder Casemiro, focused on reading movements from the second line.

That is the purpose of playing as a unit. If all players invest the same energy in both defense and attack, the results will certainly be different. "Michael came in, and he has been incredible with us. He brings new energy. This group has truly become more enthusiastic," said MU defender Harry Maguire.

For great coaches, such as former MU manager Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the key factors to their success is the ability to recognize and bring out the best in their players. Carrick seems to have inherited this knowledge from Ferguson.

Wing player Patrick Dorgu is a testament to this. The player, who was so anxious every time he touched the ball during the Amorim era, has now become the team's most dangerous weapon. He has scored two goals in the last two matches, which is more than he did in the first half of the season in the league.

Carrick positioned Dorgu as a left winger in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Interestingly, Dorgu was given the freedom to move. He could occupy the position of center forward or attacking midfielder. This approach paid off when Dorgu scored a goal against Arsenal from outside the penalty area.

Not only an attacker, Dorgu has also become the most important element for MU in defense. He is assigned to assist defender Luke Shaw on the left side to counter the movements of opposing winger Bukayo Saka. Dorgu, who was initially underestimated, has suddenly become a gem for the team.

Carrick is very familiar with MU after over a decade of experience at the club. For that reason, he is reluctant to be arrogant. "I do not want to get carried away. Those two matches indeed brought a lot of emotions and boosted confidence, but you must remain humble. To keep progressing, you need to understand why those results were achieved," he said.

As is known, consistency has been an issue for MU in recent seasons. They often win in big matches, only to stumble when facing smaller teams. The coach hopes that the players can demonstrate the same commitment in the remaining 15 matches.

Carrick will face new challenges in the upcoming matches. They will encounter other teams that employ different strategies compared to Arsenal and City. Manchester United can no longer rely on opponents playing with a high defensive line, followed by executing quick counterattacks.

MU will be challenged by Fulham, Tottenham, and West Ham in the next three matches. These teams employ a more passive defensive approach compared to Arsenal and City. MU must also be bolder in their attacking play. At the same time, the potential for counterattacks from their opponents also awaits them.

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane remains unconvinced about Carrick's performance. "Two great performances, but they can win two games. If they win every game until the end of the season, I still wouldn't trust him with the job (permanently)," he told Sky Sports.

Behind the honeymoon phase of Carrick with MU, there are many questions that need to be answered. The answers will determine the coach's eligibility for a permanent status. Many former MU coaches came with a plethora of hopes after the Ferguson era, but all fell apart in due time. (AP/REUTERS)