How Manchester United's Form Has Transformed Under Michael Carrick's Leadership
If only Ruben Amorim had clashed with Jason Wilcox just a few weeks sooner ...
Manchester United trail Premier League frontrunners Arsenal by 13 points, yet the most hopeful (and unrealistic) Red Devils fans have suggested their previously struggling and misunderstood team could be challenging for the championship if the Michael Carrick-inspired revival hadn't been postponed for so long.
United continue their journey under their new caretaker manager's guidance. They've overcome various obstacles during the early stages of his second tenure at Old Trafford, including matches against the league's finest, and a hard-fought 1–0 triumph over Everton on Monday evening also demonstrated their ability to secure results without playing beautifully.
Manchester United have returned, everyone, and the remarkable extent of their comeback under Carrick's supervision is evident in how attractive the Premier League standings appear for the Red Devils since the Englishman's return to the Theatre of Dreams.
Premier League Table Since Michael Carrick's Man Utd Return
Premier League Table Since Michael Carrick's Man Utd Return
Pos. | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Man Utd | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +7 | 16 |
2. | Chelsea | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +7 | 14 |
3. | Man City | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 13 |
4. | Arsenal | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | +9 | 12 |
5. | Bournemouth | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | +4 | 12 |
6. | West Ham | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +4 | 11 |
7. | Liverpool | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +3 | 10 |
8. | Leeds | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | -1 | 9 |
9. | Aston Villa | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +1 | 8 |
10. | Everton | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
11. | Crystal Palace | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 7 |
12. | Brentford | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 7 |
13. | Nottingham Forest | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1 | 6 |
14. | Fulham | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -3 | 6 |
15. | Burnley | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -4 | 6 |
16. | Sunderland | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 6 |
17. | Brighton | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 5 |
18. | Newcastle | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -6 | 4 |
19. | Wolves | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -7 | 3 |
20. | Tottenham | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -7 | 2 |
United have encountered some difficulties in their recent two matches against West Ham United and Everton, with Benjamin Šeško's goals rescuing them on both occasions. However, the Slovenian's finishing of a swift counter-attack at the Hill Dickinson Stadium means Carrick has guided United to five wins from his initial six Premier League matches back in command.
No side has accumulated more points (16) than United since Carrick assumed control, while Liam Rosenior's Chelsea and Bournemouth are the only other two sides remaining undefeated during this stretch.
Consequently, the Red Devils have established a three-point advantage over the Blues and Liverpool in the battle to secure Champions League qualification next season. Aston Villa are also within reach. The Villans have been plagued by midfield injuries recently.
Manchester City have narrowed the deficit on league leaders Arsenal to five points in recent weeks, with the Citizens enjoying a five-match unbeaten streak since they fell to United in the derby during Carrick's opening game back last month.
Arsenal, due to their rescheduled fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers, have contested one more match than their competitors, but they've secured just three victories from their last seven to allow City back into contention.
At the bottom of the standings, West Ham and Leeds United's respective recoveries have pushed a struggling and weakened Tottenham Hotspur into danger. Spurs, now managed by Igor Tudor following Thomas Frank's long-overdue dismissal, have collected the fewest points in the division since Carrick resumed control in Manchester. They and Wolves are the only two clubs without a victory in this period and a paltry total of two points leaves them just four points above the relegation zone with 11 matches remaining.
The situation would've been far worse for Brighton & Hove Albion if they hadn't triumphed at Brentford on Saturday, while Newcastle United's only success in their last six league fixtures came against the struggling Spurs. Eddie Howe's team importantly stay ahead of Sunderland in the actual standings, though, with the Black Cats faltering in the new year following an impressive start to the campaign.