Carrick ignites United's resurgence, securing three wins from three and earning a Manager of the Month nomination with stunning victories over rivals.
After the sacking of Ruben Amorim in early January, Manchester United looked to former player and former interim manager Michael Carrick, via two games of Darren Fletcher, to lead the team until (at least) the end of the 25/26 season.
It's safe to say, things could not have gone much better so far. His first game was a Manchester derby at Old Trafford. United would swat their neighbours aside with a 2-0 victory, with a scoreline that flattered City. On another day, it could have been 5 or 6.
Things only got tougher from there, with a trip to North London to face league leaders Arsenal. However, United got through another tough test, winning 3-2 thanks to a sublime late winner from Matheus Cunha to send the away end wild.
After that game, many had wondered how United would do at home to Fulham. A completely different test from the first two games. The team would have to go about things differently in this one.
Well, in the end, Carrick proved to pass his third straight test, with a late Benjamin Sesko goal giving United a 3-2 win, despite a second-half Fulham comeback. In the end, the Reds actually showed elements of the previous two games, with just 42% possession in this one.
So, 3 wins from 3, things could not have gone any better. As a result, Carrick has been nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Month award, alongside Liam Rosenior of Chelsea, Sean Dyche of Nottingham Forest and Andoni Iraola of AFC Bournemouth.
It's worth mentioning that the Fulham game was actually on the 1st of February, so the two wins over City and Arsenal have proved to be enough for Carrick to get this nomination - and why not?
There could not have been, on paper, two harder games for the 44-year-old to begin his tenure as boss. He was thrown into the deep end and came out swimming. The feel-good factor at the club has not been strong since the FA Cup final, and even that did not feel as sustainable, even in the short or medium term.
Let's hope for more in the same vein in February as United play Spurs (H), West Ham United (A), and Everton (A), on top of the Fulham game from last weekend. Two of Carrick's former clubs as players, as it so happens. Let's see.
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