On the surface, it seems very simple.
Carrick followed Fletcher’s lead in bringing down Amorim’s three at the back, pushed striker Bruno Fernandes forward, recalled Kobbie Mainoo to play with Casemiro and stayed in it.
In his 10 games in charge, Carrick has made just six changes to his starting line-up.
Two of them were forced – due to injuries that continue to sideline Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez. Of the other four, two were bringing on Benjamin Sesko for Amad Diallo for his win at Crystal Palace on March 1, then changing it two games later after United were beaten by Newcastle.
The final two were Noussair Mazraoui coming on at the back for Diogo Dalot at St James’ Park, then Dalot returned one game later when Mazraoui was ruled out through injury.
Manuel Ugarte, Ayden Heaven and Joshua Zirkzee all played in four or more games. The same goes for Sesko and Mazraoui.
United’s lack of fixtures – they are currently on a 23-day run without one – means rotation is an option rather than a necessity.
Yet Carrick’s influence runs deeper.
Team sources note the calm atmosphere that has prevailed throughout the team.
The 44-year-old is a relaxed person – the epitome of someone who doesn’t get carried away by success or overly discouraged by failure.
In advertising, that comes out in his press interviews.
“I’m not going to sit here and be angry at you if that’s what you’re asking,” was Carrick’s response when asked before the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth if he had ever used anger as a management tool.
The attitude is completely different from Amorim, who admitted that he was affected by his team’s games. That made him give a negative opinion in the press conference.
Instead of reluctance, United’s staff at their Carrington training center feed off Carrick’s attitude and the feeling that they are giving more.
Meetings between the head coach and Wilcox are reduced now, it is said, because there are not many daily problems to be solved.
Sources familiar with Carrick say his aim has been to strip coaching back to basics. That has led to short-term critics insisting that players aren’t being worked hard enough.
Carrick’s view is that when the fundamentals are right, and the training reaches the right level, a goal provides value beyond extended practice.
Sources close to the players say the team is united, happy and enjoying their work.
Managers Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans have understandably focused their time on the forwards. Travis Binnion is focusing on the forwards, of which Sesko is a big player.
The appointment of Steve Holland is considered a masterpiece. His early relationship with Carrick’s brother Graeme during a shared time working for the Football Association at St George’s Park helped a lot, even if the final decision to bring Holland into the fold was the result of joint planning.
Twenty-three points from 10 games since Carrick’s appointment is the highest in the Premier League during that period.
Instead of those games against Manchester City and Arsenal being a bad start, they proved to be a game.
The win over Mikel Arteta’s side was one that really resonated with the Old Trafford boss, proving that beating City – something United have done time and time again under a number of managers – was not a one-off.
This season, some of Carrick’s options for a permanent role have fallen out of favor or are unavailable – Roberto de Zerbi would be the latest if he accepts the Tottenham job.
United’s position remains that they do not want to be sued, and will take their time to reach a decision.
The truth is that they will not talk to anyone.
There are some aspects of Carrick’s management that will not be answered this season – including how he coped with a 60-game campaign, compared to this one with his warm-up season, which has allowed Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Casemiro to play every game under him.
There is also the fact that after pushing for Amorim’s appointment, Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are risking their reputations if they get another wrong call.
Nothing is guaranteed until the deal is done, but if United maintain their momentum and qualify for the Champions League, it’s hard to imagine Carrick not being offered the job.
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