Manchester United will face AC Milan in Wroclaw on Saturday afternoon in both sides' final pre-season fixture, reuniting with former head coach Ruben Amorim. Since his appointment in mid-January, Michael Carrick has addressed several issues that plagued the team under Amorim.
Mainoo's Revival
Kobbie Mainoo, who had been overlooked by Amorim, has flourished under Carrick. Amorim had told Mainoo he would get his chance, but the midfielder did not complete a single 90 minutes in the Premier League under the Portuguese and had loan requests refused. Carrick's arrival saw an immediate turnaround, with the 21-year-old's form becoming a major success story.
Bruno Fernandes Unleashed
Carrick also restored Bruno Fernandes to a more advanced role. Amorim had played Fernandes alongside Casemiro, limiting his impact. Fernandes had seven Premier League assists by the time Amorim left, but finished the season with 21, setting a new top-flight record.
Formation Change
Amorim's stubbornness with the 3-4-2-1 formation was another issue. Even before Carrick arrived, Darren Fletcher scrapped it, and Amorim himself switched to a back four against Newcastle on Boxing Day, winning, but reverted and dropped points to Wolves. Carrick has since implemented a more flexible approach.
Academy Bridge Mended
Carrick has also worked to repair relations with the academy. Amorim was criticized for not watching youth teams and for comments about young players. Carrick, even as interim boss, regularly attends academy matches, which has been appreciated by players and families, potentially aiding retention of talents like JJ Gabriel.
