‘What Ruben Amorim must be thinking’: The ‘brutal’ truth about Michael Carrick’s Man United turnaround
Craig Burley has suggested that Ruben Amorim will have plenty of regrets as he watches Man United win games under Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils earned their fifth win in their last six Premier League games on Monday, when they beat Everton 1-0 courtesy of Benjamin Sesko’s second-half strike.
Man United have looked like a different team under Carrick, who is a strong favourite to secure the job permanently in the summer.
The former midfielder replaced Amorim, who was sacked in January after a spectacular press conference that saw him call out those above him.
The 41-year-old was in charge for just over a year, with Man United seeing very little improvement in that time.
Craig Burley provided Ruben Amorim question
There were plenty of grievances against Amorim during his time in charge of Man United, with one being the usage of his system.
The 41-year-old was welded to a three-at-the-back formation throughout his time at Old Trafford, despite the constant questioning of it.
In the final weeks of his tenure, the manager did finally change to a four-back system and appeared to have some small success, but he had switched back for his final game at Leeds United.
Another key move Amorim attracted criticism for was his usage of Kobbie Mainoo, or lack thereof.
| Ruben Amorim | Man United |
| Wins | 25 |
| Draws | 15 |
| Losses | 23 |
| Scored | 122 |
| Conceded | 114 |
The 20-year-old was a key part of Erik ten Hag’s team, but the former Sporting CP boss appeared to take an instant dislike to him.
Mainoo was even rumoured to be set to leave Old Trafford in January before Amorim was sacked.
In just over a month in charge, Carrick has made those decisions look even more bizarre. The 44-year-old has deployed a four-at-the-back to great success, and Mainoo has starred under him.
“If I’m Ruben Amorim, whether he’s watching or not, whether he’s still in Manchester or if he’s back in Portugal I don’t know, but he’ll be seeing the results whether he’s watching the games or not,” Burley told ESPN on Monday.
“He can’t be sitting comfortable. He can’t be sitting thinking: ‘Well, Carrick’s just been lucky.’ Maybe he does think that? I don’t know.
“He must be thinking: ‘I need to look myself in the mirror, did I get it right at Man United? Was I too stubborn? Did I make the right decisions? Did I just keep harping on about he can’t do this and he can’t do that and my system this’.”
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How does Michael Carrick’s start compare to Amorim’s?
Carrick could not have been dealt a tougher start to his return to Old Trafford.
The former midfielder’s first game in charge was against Premier League title-chasers Man City, and his second was away against League leaders Arsenal.
Man United won both games, and have looked massively impressive in the six games they have gone unbeaten since Carrick’s return.
By way of comparison, Amorim’s tenure began with a draw away at Ipswich Town. His side did beat Bodo/Glimt and Everton, but went on to lose to both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
In short, their starts are worlds apart, and decision-makers at Old Trafford will hope that theme can continue.