07 Feb 2026 17:41:45
Four wins on the bounce and each game different from the last.
We battered City, more than I have seen any other teams do, and followed that up by beating the league leaders at their place. We went behind, got ourselves ahead, conceded an equaliser, but showed real grit to get a winner. Arsenal have finceded 8 goals at home this season, we scored 3 of them, no other team managed more than 1.
Odd game against Fulham, 2 up and hit the woodwork which would have been game over. We let them back in but again showed fight to get a winner. And today, whilst difficult to assess properly due to the man advantage, we played some lovely stuff and looked like a quality team. I struggle to identify anyone who didn't play well today.
I think we are still a way off but the inconsistency of other teams is benefiting us. What I am seeing is an awesome team and squad spirit and a resilience that was often lacking in previous seasons.
And most importantly, I am enjoying watching our games, we are playing some nice football.
Carrick has a calmness about him, no drama, no exciting press conferences, you could say he is dour, but it is clearly working. Long may it continue.
07 Feb 2026 18:17:13
Great post AJH. It's so so positive at the moment. West ham, Everton and Palace up next. We could really build some steam.
Today, we could have scored a couple more.
I know Top 5 is the key here, but with villa dropping points again, and a decent run of games for us, we play Villa in a month's time and anything is possible.
It's been brilliant the last 4 games. Onwards and upwards, let's finish the season strong!
07 Feb 2026 18:57:00
I wouldn’t say we are way off at all. The side/aquad has its clear deficiencies, but they’re an obvious fix.
As long as the recruitment continues to be as good as it has even in the last 12 months, we’re going in the right direction. The midfield rebuild and fullback upgrade is key for the summer.
I can’t think of better praise today but to say it was a routine home win. The type we used to take for granted for years, and ones we’ve not see for a while.
07 Feb 2026 19:42:04
AJH, I backed Amorim and still think he is a good manager and feel that we never truly got to see how good he could be. On reflection the situation reminds me a little of Andre Villa-Boas when he joined Chelsea. Clearly a very intelligent and talented manager, but it might have been a step up too soon.
However, the thing that Carrick has brought back more than anything is the joy of being a fan. I'm a little sad at the final whistle as I want to watch us play more. I spend all week looking forward to our games again, rather than in a state of suspense not knowing what to expect or whether I'll be disappointed.
It's not about winning games (although obviously that helps), it's about seeing a team that plays how I want to see us play, on the front foot, with equal measures of fight and guile, a team that is willing to take risks rather than is risk adverse.
I can honestly say that I haven't consistently seen that from us since SAF. Glimpses under Ole, but not consistently enough to feel confident going into any game.
Right now I know our first team and squad has some pretty severe limitations, lacking quality and depth in many places, yet I feel confident that we could give any team in the world a good game.
I know it might be early and I'll probably end up with egg on my face, but I'm all aboard the Carrick bus.
If we get a couple of years of playing like this and enjoying our club again, even if we don't win any major trophies and ultimately Carrick needs to be replaced I'll still be happy and feel that it will have been the best couple of years since SAF.
It was never about tin pots, it was about how our club makes us feel.
{Ed025's Note - good post that Shappy mate..
07 Feb 2026 20:19:00
Good post shappy. Agree with that, without doubt a good coach, but United was too much too soon.
I still think that someone like Luis Enrique would be ideal for us. I think we finish this season on a high, have a strong summer market and the club and squad will be ina really good place for someone like Enrique.
07 Feb 2026 20:26:56
Thats kinda how I feel Shapps, it's joyful again. I think the club thought they were getting the next Mourinho, but as you say, they got AVB.
I jumped on the Ole bus and people forget there were some great times before it fell apart. The culture back then was pretty awful and most of those players have now left.
I think it is important we play the United way; people think it is the SAF way but its also how Busby, Docherty and Atkinson tried to play. Front foot, attack, excite the crowd, there has been too little of that lately. I don't want to win things by grinding out 1-0 scorelines.
Let's see how MC does, so far it's been a breath of fresh air and we are now aiming for 2nd place, did anyone see that coming?
07 Feb 2026 20:35:21
The most important thing Carrick has done is not make it about him. It’s clear that he has told the players not to worry too much about attacking systems, and focusing on getting them cohesive defensively. When we’re in possession, players are trusted to play more instinctively, and that’s done wonders for their confidence.
I feel that Amorim’s instructions were hamstringing players by not giving them the freedom to play. You can see it on the pitch now, players that feel like they can take more risks, and obviously enjoying playing football.
07 Feb 2026 20:51:05
The one thing I always felt under amorim was everything had to fall right for us to win a game.
With Carrick I feel confident we will win nomkatter what way we play might not be as pretty but it's effective and simple and that's what suits our players.