Michael Carrick has had his fourth consecutive victory with Manchester United as the "Red Devils" seem to be revived. The similarities with the immediate impact that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer created in 2018 are also therefore particularly noteworthy.
Carrick first experienced the role of Man United's interim coach after Solskjaer left in 2021. And all doubts about whether he is suitable for a long time largely stem from the inability to maintain an impressive start.
However, Old Trafford is now as vibrant as ever. More importantly, Carrick is reviving the flow, feeling of freedom and liberal spirit that Man United once showed in the early stages of the Solskjaer era in the 2018-2019 season.
Carrick's team has scored 10 goals in 4 matches, while under Ruben Amorim, they only scored an average of 1 goal/match in the last 4 matches. This number may not exceed Solskjaer's total goals when he started his interim term, but it needs to be placed in a context where the opponent is more difficult. Man United can actually score even more goals, especially in the match against Man City.
If in 2018, the playmaker was Paul Pogba in the number 10 role, now, that scenario is repeating with Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes has played stably throughout the season, especially when Man United faced difficulties under Amorim. But under Carrick's hand, he played more enthusiastically, being returned to the number 10 role instead of playing deep, thanks to tactical adjustments.
The result came immediately when Fernandes had 4 assists and 1 goal after 4 matches under Carrick. "Carrick came with the right ideas, giving players responsibility and freedom on the field" - the Man United captain said after the second goal that sealed the victory against Spurs.
That goal came from Diogo Dalot's excellent pass. And before that, in matches against Man City and Arsenal, Man United also showed admirable counter-attacking quality. At many moments, it evokes the golden age of Sir Alex Ferguson - who once led and inspired both Solskjaer and Carrick.
Therefore, Gary Neville's statement after the derby became even more resounding: "We are trained to believe that you cannot play like Manchester United. I have heard that for 3, 4, 5 years. But you just watched 90 minutes that I think show the peak form of this club".
As a tribute to tradition, Solskjaer once became the first Man United coach since Sir Matt Busby to win all 4 of the first matches. Now, Carrick has repeated that streak.
The remaining question is what will happen next?
Solskjaer once won his first 6 consecutive matches in the Premier League. With West Ham and Everton ahead, Carrick can completely aim for the same goal. However, to equal Solskjaer's 14-match winning streak in the first 19 matches would be a real miracle.
What makes people wary also lies in that lesson. After being officially signed, Solskjaer only won 2/10 remaining matches of that season. Therefore, Roy Keane's comment that Carrick should not be appointed even if he wins all matches until the end of the season has created controversy. However, it also reflects the scars left from the decision to give long-term power to Solskjaer.
Carrick is having a good start. But the big question is still hanging in Old Trafford - a place that has experienced too many hopes and then shattered dreams since Sir Alex left the hot seat.
The debate about whether Carrick can bring Man United to a new level or not will certainly last in the last months of the season, until his current contract expires in the summer - when Man United will consider options. But one undeniable thing is that Carrick has started very well, and once again ignited expectations at Old Trafford.
