Michael Carrick wasted no time in making his mark upon returning as Manchester United manager, with one of his first acts being to reverse a significant decision made by his predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Carrick's Immediate Impact
The 44-year-old former United midfielder and coach, who was appointed following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, has taken charge at Old Trafford for a second time. His first interim spell came in November 2021 after Solskjaer's sacking, and it was during that period that he demonstrated a willingness to make bold, symbolic calls.
Most notably, Carrick chose to reintegrate defender Phil Jones back into the first-team fold. Under Solskjaer, Jones had become something of an outcast, not featuring for the club since January 2020 as he battled injury. Despite being fit enough to play for the Under-23s, he was frozen out of the senior setup by the Norwegian manager.
Bringing Jones In From The Cold
Carrick's approach was starkly different. Shortly after taking temporary charge, he included Jones in the squad that travelled to Spain for a Champions League match against Villarreal in late 2021. Although the centre-back was ineligible to play, his presence on the trip sent a powerful message.
Carrick further solidified this move by naming Jones in his matchday squad for the subsequent Premier League clash against Chelsea. This treatment of a player who had been marginalised suggested that Carrick was unafraid to put his own stamp on the team and reassess the status of those on the periphery.
Big Decisions and Future Implications
Carrick's assertive management style extended beyond Phil Jones. In the same Villarreal match, he made the surprising decision to drop star midfielder Bruno Fernandes to the bench due to a dip in form. He also limited close friend Juan Mata to just one substitute appearance during his tenure, showing a clear focus on performance over personal relationships.
This history suggests that as Carrick begins his second spell, several current United players could see their fortunes change. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, linked with a January exit after falling out of favour with Amorim, may find new opportunities. There is also speculation that Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, could yet have a future at his parent club under Carrick's leadership.
Carrick's first official match back in charge is the highly anticipated Manchester derby against City this Saturday in the Premier League. He faces the immediate task of boosting morale at a club now solely focused on the league, following exits from both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season.
