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when Thomas Tuchel Parachuted into Chelsea mid-season four years ago, he actually arrived by plane. On this basis, he developed tactics that propelled a team struggling in mid-table in the Premier League to Champions League glory. It involves a change of formation to a 3-4-3 formation.
when Michael Carrick As a former Middlesbrough manager, he was relatively unknown and was given Manchester United Things were different for the rest of the campaign; so were the solutions. Carrick abandoned the 3-4-3 formation, the simplest and most popular thing he could do. The Old Trafford season ticket holder could have spent much of his time in the stands wondering what he was going to do with the players he inherited – however, when asked, Carrick showed his innate ability to downplay and deflect. “It’s not actually conscious,” he said last week. “I think it’s obviously something that’s kind of out of the blue when you think I might need to do something about it.”
Carrick have arrived with the same clarity of thoughta formula that immediately looked like it would work for his players. His 4-2-3-1 formation was notable for the immediate impact it had on some players: Patrick Dorgu, signed as a full-back, scored just once for United, and Ruben Amorim criticized him for giving an anxious look when in possession. Transformed by Carrick into a left winger position, he scored two goals in as many games. Brian Mbemo was bought and mainly played as the No. 10 player on the right. A forward, he rarely played that role at Brentford last season, but he scored in wins over Manchester City and Arsenal. Diogo Dalot returns to right-back, Bruno Fernandez Call number 10, Kobe Minu Can’t play at all.
This is in stark contrast to the beginnings of some of his predecessors. Amorim, who started the game with a draw against Ipswich, unveiled the policy of squeezing a square peg into a round hole called for by his 3-4-3 formation: Noussair Mazraoui on the right side of a back three, Dalot at left back and Alejandro Garnacho as the No. 10. Erik ten Hag spent the summer planning the game against Brighton and somehow used Christian Eriksen as a false nine. This is not a sign of things to come. Ralf Rangnick used his beloved 4-2-2-2 formation in his first game in charge on an interim basis, with Jadon Sancho and Fernandes operating in the No. 10 position behind forwards Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo. That shape didn’t last, partly because Ronaldo wasn’t pressing. Louis van Gaal started Jesse Lingard at full-back. Manchester United lost to Swansea.
It’s safe to say Carrick’s early decision-making was more certain than theirs. His mission is short-term. It was a most auspicious start, pushing United into fourth place.
it’s also Questions were raised about what happened next. With only 15 games left, does Carrick still need to make big changes? After all, while Casemiro’s leg may prevent him from starting three games in a week, United’s schedule is extremely light and they only have two midweek games for the remainder of the season. Carrick should be able to operate with a small core if he chooses.
One question is whether they need a different approach to what appears to be a simpler game. United’s attack is full of sharpness, inspiration, pace and skill; they have scored five goals so far. They also only have a handful of possessions in each game, in part because they are the underdog in every game. They are probably considered the favorite for most teams over the past 15 games.
There are also players who did not make the early cut for Carrick. Matheus Cunha gave an excellent responsebecoming Carrick’s super substitute. There’s no reason to omit any of his starters, but the Brazilian is struggling to break into the team.
Others appear to have declined further. Carrick was praised for his bold display when Arsenal brought in Benjamin Cesc for Dolgu. But judging from the changes in the first two games, the Slovenian is now the third-choice forward. Likewise, Leny Yoro may have noticed that Harry Maguire was pushed back into the starting line-up against Manchester City; the veteran has impressed in Carrick’s two games. However, Yoro, like Cesco, appears to be a signing for the future, a potential player who is being targeted by rivals and attracted to Old Trafford.
In Cesco’s case, part of the logic behind asking Mbemo to lead the team may be that he is the best finisher at the club; he may also be suitable for the counter-attacking strategy implemented by Carrick. At the same time, Maguire remains United’s most reliable penalty area defender.
He is also one of the survivors from Carrick’s previous coaching staff. Four of his 2021 picks – Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Maguire and Fernandes – have been selected again. Amad Diallo did not feature in two of the games, while Carrick worked alongside Mainoo while earning his coaching badges. Those familiar with him may be ahead of recent recruits, but his selections have proven to be the right ones.
One of the most controversial incidents actually happened four years ago. In his first game in charge, against Villarreal in 2021, he replaced Fernandez with Donny van de Beek. The Portuguese came on to set up Sancho. Carrick then showed he would transform a winning team, keeping Ronaldo at Chelsea. Now, Carrick’s class of 2026 have enjoyed back-to-back stunning wins, leaving him to decide whether to hold on or turn around; whether, like Tuchel, he has a good idea for the season, or whether it’s a two-game master plan.