Michael Carrick has certainly hit the ground running in his stint as interim manager of Manchester United. Commanding no fewer than three victories from his initial trio of matches at the helm, Carrick’s astute decisions have been credited for revitalising the Red Devils’ form, setting tongues wagging about whether he might be the right man for a more permanent role.
Roy Keane, however, remains a voice of caution, urging INEOS and United’s decision-makers to refrain from hasty judgments reminiscent of the Ole Gunnar Solskjær era. Carrick himself has echoed these sentiments, explaining, “If they have changed [my role to permanent] then there is something wrong. It can’t be so knee-jerk… It’s steady progress really.” His measured approach, coupled with his profound affinity for the club, has thus far been a winning formula.
Having revitalised United’s approach through decisions that were as straightforward as they were necessary such as restoring Kobbie Mainoo, reverting to a four-man defence, and amplifying the team’s intensity Carrick’s strategic clarity continued ahead of the weekend showdown with Tottenham Hotspur. Opting to stick with the squad that secured a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Fulham, Carrick’s unchanged line-up is a testament to the adage of not fixing what isn’t broken.
Meanwhile, over at Spurs, manager Thomas Frank has made three notable adjustments to the side that clawed back a draw against Manchester City. Nonetheless, Cristian Romero retains his place at the heart of defence despite his recent outspoken critique of the club’s management. This inclusion speaks volumes about his indispensable role within the team and Frank’s tacit endorsement of the Argentine’s passions—despite disagreeing with Romero’s public airing of frustration.
Frank candidly addressed the issue, stating, “Cuti is a very passionate character… It is something we have, of course, dealt with internally. There’s a lot of ways of doing things. Cuti has been very good for us this season. That’s very important to be aware of. I wouldn’t have done it. That’s my message.”
As Manchester United and Tottenham prepare to face off at Old Trafford, all eyes will be on Carrick’s steady hand and Romero’s response in a match that promises drama and intensity in abundance.