Up to now, many Man United fans are still euphoric after the surprisingly destructive victory over Man City last weekend. From players to fans, once again the story of the "Red Devils" identity is mentioned.
Man United defeated the "noisy neighbor" right at home by a coach who is a club legend. In the stands, immortal icons like Sir Alex Ferguson also shared the joy. Owners who are inherently demanding like Sir Jim Ratcliffe also smiled satisfied.
Bringing Michael Carrick back is like turning back the life switch of Man United, which has been turned off in Ruben Amorim's final stages. What "Man United style" is is still unexplained to this day, but just looking at how the Old Trafford home team defeated Man City, everyone can visualize it in the most complete way.
When he was a player, Michael Carrick was famous for being solid, careful and wanting to build a playing style based on familiar things. When he took over the team for the 2nd time, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire were immediately used, who were the pillars and future of the team in the past time.
In addition, Carrick's 4-2-3-1 formation created conditions for Bruno Fernandes to play higher, with more freedom to create, which is very important for the home team's attacking play. Man United's energy and intensity made Pep Guardiola comment after the match that the opponent played with "something we didn't have".
Right now, many fans want the team to immediately sign an official contract with Carrick, just like Rio Ferdinand once wanted to appoint Ole Solskjaer when the team came back against PSG in the Champions League round of 16.
After that, everyone knows how Ole ended his journey, so it would be very dangerous to see Carrick's case only in terms of emotions after the recent Derby.
Man United has witnessed many illusory things, even illusions about the coaches in the past 13 years. Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and even Ruben Amorim all won against both Man City and Liverpool, but those matches cannot be used as an accurate measure.
When the team chose between Solskjaer and Carrick, many opinions said that this should not be done because Man United would fall into the old situation again. However, looking around the coaching market at that time, there was no one suitable anymore.
Carrick only has 17 matches, so he needs to cherish each round to try for the team and also for this young coach himself. If after this series of matches, Carrick is officially appointed, that is extremely favorable.
Otherwise, his profile will be full of pages of good achievements to find a new official team, better than Middlesbrough in the Championship.
It is impossible to use the reason that Man City has a patchwork squad to deny Man United's achievements. However, after many years of hardship, what Man United fans need is stability to return to the championship race group. They do not need victories like this if the subsequent series of matches, against weaker teams, are disastrous performances.
Man United has sublimated after the Derby but everyone needs to be very rational in the remaining time. The next 16 matches, right in the next round against Arsenal, are the best time to test Carrick's true ability.
The hot seat at Old Trafford will be recalculated after the 2026 World Cup. At that time, a series of coaches who may be free such as Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel,... may be put on the scales. Compared to them, Carrick is very difficult to match.
Anyway, that's a matter of the future. Currently, after a convincing victory against Man City, what Man United needs to do is think of ways to snatch points from Arsenal, even setting a goal to win.
The feeling of confidence is rising as it is now, which is rare in the era of Amorim and Man United and Carrick need to continue to maintain it.
