The first time Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the new board of directors appointed a coach for Manchester United, they chose Ruben Amorim - who is considered one of the most promising young strategists in Europe. But in the next time, they placed their trust in Michael Carrick, who was sacked by Middlesbrough just a year earlier.
If Amorim brings attraction and bold statements, Carrick represents calmness. What makes the former English midfielder attractive is not in his strong personality or ability to speak to the media, but in his football thinking and stability he brings.
Initially, Carrick was only seen as a temporary solution after Amorim left. However, after 4 months of leading the team, he gradually became an unmissable choice for the head coach position.
When taking over Man United, Carrick was not in the top group of candidates for the official position in the next season. But what happened afterwards changed everything. He helped the team win 36 points after 16 Premier League matches - the best record in the league in the same period - and almost no need to publicly "nominate" for this job.
Looking back at the time Ratcliffe started taking over Man United, Carrick was clearly not the type of coach suitable for the initial vision of the leadership. Amorim was once considered an iconic contract, but that plan quickly collapsed. Instead of finding "Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho next", Man United fell into the worst period in decades.
Even before being sacked, Amorim only helped the team rank sixth. Meanwhile, after only a few matches under Carrick, the goal of winning a European cup spot was quickly raised to the race to return to the Champions League.
Carrick's start is a turning point. Victories against Manchester City and Arsenal completely changed the atmosphere at Old Trafford.
In his first match in charge, he abandoned Amorim's controversial 3-center-back formation, switched to a 4-man defense, brought Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo back to the main squad, and at the same time pulled Bruno Fernandes up to play like a true number 10.
Those adjustments quickly took effect. Fernandes was later honored as the club's Player of the Season, while Maguire and Mainoo both had their contracts renewed.
The fact that most of Carrick's decisions have a positive impact shows his significant sensitivity. More importantly, Carrick brings a sense of stability - something MU lacked during the previous time.
If Amorim is considered too emotional and erratic, Carrick offers a gentler but more solid approach. He adds Steve Holland to the coaching staff to increase experience, while bringing Jonny Evans back to an influential role in the dressing room.
Carrick also received strong support from the players themselves. Bruno Fernandes once affirmed that he would become an excellent coach, while Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha and Kobbie Mainoo all publicly wanted Carrick to continue leading the team. Even Casemiro - who is preparing to leave the club - also expressed his support for the English coach.
The return of a former Man United player seems to help the team somewhat regain its old identity. Under Carrick, the "Red Devils" played more openly, more energetically and more effectively in attack.
Benjamin Sesko is strongly revived after a difficult period under Amorim, while all three new attacking players last summer reached double-digit goals. Not only improving the situation on the pitch, Carrick also helps reduce pressure on the operating apparatus of Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada - who previously faced much criticism.
For Ratcliffe, who has invested billions of pounds in Man United, Carrick also brings huge financial value through the race to win a Champions League spot. However, not everyone is completely convinced. Some former legends such as Roy Keane or Gary Neville believe that Man United should look for a bigger name for the head coach position.
However, many top options such as Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti or Luis Enrique are not feasible, while Carrick is secretly building a long-term plan for the club.
He regularly monitors youth teams, participates in personnel orientation and contributes to the revival of Mainoo's career. But the real challenge for Carrick will begin next season.
Man United may have to play up to 60 matches in all competitions, instead of just 40 matches this season. Carrick will face the problem of rotation of forces, squad depth and pressure to maintain achievements for a long time. He also needs to rebuild the midfield when Casemiro leaves and add players suitable to his philosophy.
