As a United fan, I’ve learned to treat hope carefully. We’ve had too many false dawns since Fergie. But let’s be honest, this one felt different.
Carrick got it right. Properly right. Players in their actual positions, simple tactics, and suddenly United looked like… United. Mainoo with Casemiro was excellent and completely justified the frustration of fans who’ve been asking why he was benched for weeks. It’s only one game but it was against City, so yeah, we’re enjoying it.
City’s midfield was basically taken out of the match, their defence looked rattled, and somehow their best player was the keeper. That’s not very Pep. When he pulled Silva and Haaland late on, it felt like even City had accepted it wasn’t their day. Second place is still there for them anyway.
Now, reality check. United can always raise their game for the big ones. The real test is Fulham, Spurs, West Ham, Everton, Palace – those games where we usually look like we think turning up is enough, or can’t break down a low block. Amorim, Ten Hag, Ole, all struggled there.
What made this different was Carrick’s common sense. He ditched the back three, went back to a back four, didn’t gamble with two kids at centre-back, and made subs that actually changed the game. Cunha made an instant impact. Mount nearly scored. None of it was complicated, just smart.
He also reminded the players that Old Trafford matters. The crowd responded, and you could feel City wobble. Yes, Dalot was lucky not to see red, and if that happens it’s a different game but football doesn’t work like that.
I’m not saying we’ve cracked it. But Carrick looks like a proper manager who understands the club and its culture. After years of forcing ideas that didn’t fit, this finally felt natural.
Maybe it’s another false dawn. Maybe not. But for the first time in a long while, it actually felt like the start of something.
Photo Source : The Guardian