So it's happening again… a former United player taking over halfway through the season, producing good results, then being offered the full job. Man Utd in recent times has felt like Groundhog Day, yet waking up to Michael Carrick has given me a sense of positivity that he could be the man to take us back.
That could be seen as delusional, considering my optimism for Ruben Amorim was through the roof and I was disappointed. But Carrick feels different. He seems genuinely unbothered by what the media says and has simplified everything. Much like his playing career, he is just getting the job done: not too high, not too low, calm, measured, taking it all in his stride.
It could be over-optimism as we enter a 14th year waiting for a Premier League title, but why not? The recruitment has improved (three forward signings, all ten-plus goals in the league), the passing play is improving, and there's an influx of revenue from the Champions League. Part of me even feels we should've been challenging this season given the teams we beat.
Why this is different from Ole
It always felt like Ole had no tactics; the bad losses came right after his appointment. I still don't understand why United gave Ole a contract because he won a Champions League tie against PSG. It shows how starved we are: when it feels good, we get impulsive. Carrick is similar in that regard: why aren't we waiting for the season to end? Who's available? If Luis Enrique is wavering, don't let him go to City. The patience factor is the one gripe I have.
Not everything in sport is what you've done on paper.
How many managers could've done well at a big club if given the opportunity? I go back to Tom Brady: whenever he was given an opportunity, he made sure he took it. That's what Carrick has done. In three days he had Man City completely outplayed. A fluke, maybe? How about beating Arsenal away 3-2 by not playing defensively?
He's making the right calls: Bruno in his preferred position, Mainoo back in the team (how can you leave this guy out?), Casemiro with players around him so he isn't dragged all over the pitch, and not backing down from any opposition. Does two wins get you the job? No. But the way you present yourself matters: how you respond to the media, how you use momentum, and knowing the club helps.
All in all, Man Utd has a Project 2028 to win the league. From my eyes, this is a step forward. And why not, because we are Man Utd? Let's make a bit of history by becoming the first English manager to win the Premier League.
Keep reading
Do Scotland have what it takes to win the Six Nations?
On paper, yes. This is arguably the best group of players we've had in years. But sport isn't played on paper, and hope without ruthlessness is just hope.
Scotland 0, Brazil 3: what actually went wrong?
First World Cup in 28 years. What did that support get in return for the passion they showed? Scotland manifested their own downfall.
The top 10 finals I've witnessed
A running countdown of the greatest finals I've watched: the nights that summarised why sport beats anything written on paper.