Michael Carrick has wasted no time in stamping his authority at Manchester United, with a significant move from his previous interim spell highlighting his willingness to challenge the status quo. The 44-year-old, appointed as permanent manager this week following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, famously reversed a key decision made by his predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his first temporary tenure in November 2021.
Carrick's Defiant First Act
In the wake of Solskjaer's sacking, one of Carrick's earliest and most symbolic acts was to bring defender Phil Jones back in from the cold. The centre-back, who later retired in August 2024, had been an outcast under the Norwegian manager, not featuring for the first team since January 2020 due to a combination of injury and exclusion.
Carrick's approach was immediate and public. Despite Jones being ineligible to play, the new interim boss included him in the travelling squad for United's Champions League victory over Villarreal in Spain. This gesture was a clear signal of Carrick's intent to assess the entire squad personally, rather than inherit previous judgements.
Big Decisions and Squad Implications
Carrick's reinstatement of Jones was not an isolated incident of bold man-management. For the same European fixture, he made the tough call to drop star midfielder Bruno Fernandes to the bench, citing the Portuguese international's poor run of form at the time.
Furthermore, he limited close friend and fellow player Juan Mata to just one substitute appearance during his brief spell in charge, demonstrating that sentimentality would not influence his sporting decisions. This treatment of Jones suggests that players currently on the fringes of the United squad could see their fortunes revived under Carrick's leadership.
A New Era and Immediate Challenges
Carrick's agreement with the club was finalised on Tuesday, with the manager seen arriving at the Carrington training base ahead of the official announcement. His reign begins with the ultimate test: a Premier League Manchester derby against rivals Manchester City this Saturday.
His primary task will be to uplift morale at a club that now has only the Premier League to focus on this season, following exits from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup. The reintegration of Jones in 2021 serves as a potent reminder that Carrick is not afraid to make unpopular or surprising calls to shape the team in his own image, a trait that will be vital as he navigates the challenges ahead at Old Trafford.
