Michael Carrick’s appointment as the permanent head coach of Manchester United came as no surprise given it had been mooted for weeks and the impact he has had since his return to the club in January.
The United legend – who joined as a player 20 years ago this July – arrived at a very different Old Trafford four months ago following Ruben Amorim’s abrupt sacking.
There was also a serious air of discontent following last season’s 15th-placed finish and elimination from both cups at the first time of asking.
What has happened since has been nothing short of remarkable with United the form side in the Premier League since Carrick’s interim appointment. It’s been aided by having just a game a week but still, no one expected this type of upturn.
It started in some style too with a dominant 2-0 win over Manchester City in Pep Guardiola’s now-final derby game.
Bruno Fernandes got his first assist under Carrick, setting up a stunning first for Bryan Mbeumo, and went onto equal the all-time Premier League record with an opportunity to break it against Brighton on Sunday.
What was also evident on that Saturday at Old Trafford was the confidence returning to the players with “Carrick-ball” being introduced to a fanbase that could not just get enough of it.
The win over City was followed by a dramatic 3-2 victory at now-champions Arsenal, making United the first team to win at the Emirates all season.
Patrick Dorgu scored an incredible goal to make it 2-1 before Matheus Cunha sent the away end wild with a late winner.
Benjamin Šeško played just nine minutes in Carrick’s first two wins but came to the fore the very next weekend, scoring a brilliant injury-time winner against Fulham.
The Slovenian – who had scored just twice for Amorim – had began to shine under caretaker Darren Fletcher and with Fernandes behind him in the 10 role. He went into overdrive under Carrick and looks set to be a key player for years to come.
As does Kobbie Mainoo, whose resurgence symbolises everything that has changed under Carrick. Left out in the cold by Amorim and ill-suited to his 3-4-3 formation, he has been a near-ever present since his departure.
After signing a new five-year contract just months on from rumours of his exit, the 21-year-old scored the winner against Liverpool to seal Champions League qualification for the first time since 2023.
Carrick’s permanent appointment on a two-year deal marks a new era for United and with it coinciding with Pep Guardiola’s exit from City, Manchester could be red again soon.