Is Michael Carrick the secret ingredient Manchester United desperately needed? Amad Diallo certainly thinks so, and his glowing endorsement sheds light on the significant positive shift the interim head coach has brought to the squad since stepping into the role in January.
Since taking the helm for five matches, Carrick has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. The Red Devils secured four consecutive victories, a feat that saw him surpass Ruben Amorim's previous record for the longest winning streak by a United head coach at three matches. While their most recent outing ended in a 1-1 draw against West Ham, the point secured was crucial, keeping United firmly within the Premier League's top four. The upcoming clash against Everton presents an opportunity to return to winning ways, but what's truly encouraging is the palpable improvement in dressing room morale since Carrick's arrival.
But here's where it gets interesting... Team morale is a notoriously fickle thing, often riding the coattails of results. This is precisely why Carrick is likely pushing his players to replicate their strongest performances, especially as they prepare to face David Moyes' side. The positive sentiment isn't just coming from Amad; several first-team players, including Lisandro Martinez, have publicly praised Carrick's impact.
And this is the part most people miss: Amad's admiration for Carrick isn't new. He already had a promising three-game stint as interim manager back in 2019. Now, as head coach, Carrick's influence is being felt across the squad, particularly by those who are consistently playing and contributing to crucial wins against formidable opponents like Man City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham.
In a recent episode of the 'Inside Carrington' podcast, Amad elaborated on how Carrick has quickly made his mark. Having known Carrick from his time as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff, Amad believes Carrick's deep understanding of the club, forged through his playing and coaching history, is a significant advantage. He champions the idea that Carrick embodies the very essence of 'United DNA'.
Amad shared, "I think having Michael Carrick as head coach in the team is very important because he knows the club." He further explained, "He’s the main man who can tell us [about] the club we are playing for. Before the games he keeps telling us: you guys, you are playing for yourself, but you’re playing also for the fans, and he’s telling us the fans are very important for us. We are also playing for the fans because we want to win and we want to give them something back." He also added, "Having Carrick is very enjoyable and we enjoy the training. He’s a nice guy. He talks with everyone and I’m so lucky because I know him already – he was here when I arrived, when I was 18. I also played against him when he was in the Championship, so I know him since a long time and he’s a nice guy."
Now, let's talk about Amad himself. He spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Sunderland, where he impressed and even played against Carrick's Middlesbrough side. The Black Cats narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League that season.
And what about Amad's record against Everton? He's a regular starter under Carrick, so he's expected to feature in his third Premier League appearance against them. While he's only secured one win against the Toffees in his previous encounters, he has managed two goal contributions against them. This upcoming match will be his first time playing at Everton's new stadium, and he'll be aiming for his second win and, crucially, his first goal against David Moyes' team.
Here's a question for you: Do you believe Michael Carrick's current form and impact are enough to warrant a permanent managerial position at Manchester United? Or is it too early to make that call? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
