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Michael Carrick It’s hard to imagine his second season getting off to a better start because Manchester UnitedAlthough he is the team’s interim head coach, he has passed the first test with flying colors.
While last week’s derby day win over Manchester City left United fans on cloud nine, The club beat Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium Sunday’s result was even more impressive, with the visitors wowing the league leaders and their fans delighted with a professional, creative and sometimes brilliant performance.
Not even the most die-hard fans could have predicted these wins in the first two games of Michael Carrick’s second term, but United have performed well at the Emirates Stadium, with recent signings Brian MbemoGoals from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha secured a well-deserved win.
Although Manchester United’s goals relied on luck and two wonderful goals from Dolgu and Cunha, this game was very positive for Carrick.
United are not “back” by any means, but it was an away performance that brought plenty of promise, discipline, energy, desire, creativity and even that swagger that United teams of old displayed when playing away from home in the league’s biggest stadium.
Granted, the basic framework of the game plan here was provided by Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, but both sides were frustrated arsenal The visitors have largely suppressed Arsenal over the past few weeks despite Michael Carrick’s fine performances, with United’s big names emerging as the visitors show a clear change in pace and confidence.
Carrick’s team selection also paid off again. Mbemo, who scored United’s first goal last week, threatened again tonight, capitalizing on a mistake from Martin Zubimendi to equalize, while Dolgu gave United the lead at the Emirates Stadium with his goal of the day. The Dane has proven to be the bright spot on the left flank of United’s attacking trio so far.
Cunha’s introduction was another change that paid off for Carrick, with the Brazilian scoring a stunning winner after providing the assist for United’s second win in the derby a week ago.
The early signs are all positive, but while Carrick’s first two games have proven that his side can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the league in a single match, it’s more important that someone makes this United a team capable of challenging the Top 38.
Derby wins and away wins will long live in the memory, but they do not form the basis of a season. All of United’s recent managers have struggled against so-called “weak teams”, especially Ruben Amorim’s iteration, which has often lacked energy and creativity in the final third, while also having holes defensively.
That means the excitement among United fans will be tempered somewhat, even if they can revel in the clear improvement over the past two weeks.
With that in mind, attention will soon turn to next weekend’s game against Fulham, where United will face an entirely different test in which they are expected to dominate.
We are yet to see a game from Michael Carrick’s side where they are tasked with controlling the flow of play and breaking down defences, even if they did show promise at times at the Emirates Stadium with their flexible midfield combinations and dangerous attacking moves.
United are far from a challenge in the league, but the acid test for Carrick and his side now will be how they deal with games they should win, rather than games where they have little to lose and can get away with.
United’s win moves them into fourth place, one point ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of Liverpool, with the Red Devils now having an advantage in the race for the top four. There will be plenty of interesting action ahead of them, with home games against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur before traveling to West Ham United on February 10.
There are still questions to be answered as United seek a return to the Champions League next season – such as the long-term roles of Cunha and Benjamin Cescó, or how the defense will cope – but the early signs are very positive, although Carrick was quick to urge caution and advise remaining “humble” in his post-match press conference.
Carrick is well aware of the recent false dawn at Old Trafford over the past few seasons, and while the first two wins suggested it was more than just a blip, he knows his side still have a lot to do if they are to make it this far. Dispel any early doubters. However, he might be surprised at how much a convincing win against Fulham goes towards achieving that goal.