Carrick’s Positive Impact Amidst Recent Club Turmoil

Before his departure from Manchester United earlier this month, former manager Amorim publicly criticized certain academy players, particularly in response to social media grievances expressed by youngsters Harry Amass and Chido Obi. Amorim remarked on the culture of entitlement at the club, highlighting that difficult moments can be beneficial for young players. He stated, “There is a feeling of entitlement we have in our club. Sometimes, difficult moments is not a bad thing for the kids. We don’t always need accolades in everything. We are not helping. Nowadays, they [players] speak and go against the club because they feel entitled. Then, we have legends of the club saying ‘if you don’t play, leave, because everyone is wrong.’ No. Let’s stay. Let’s fight. Let’s overcome. The door to my office is open. That is the way we can solve things [but] nobody is coming to talk to me.”

Shortly after being appointed as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season, Michael Carrick led his team to a commendable 2-0 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League. Defender Lisandro Martinez praised Carrick’s influence in a short time. He remarked, “One important thing Michael Carrick said was ‘use the energy of the people’. Today I think we did it. When we are together, it is impossible to lose at home. When you play against this kind of players, the team defends. Not just one or two players. Today we defended so well. We were so compact all the time and then you have the confidence to go into the duels. You feel today a different energy in the eyes of the players. Today the team won, that’s the most important thing for me.”

Earlier this month, reports indicated that United’s management was dissatisfied with Amorim’s critique of academy players and first-team member Patrick Dorgu, remarking on the anxiety he exhibited when in possession of the ball. Contrastingly, Carrick’s arrival has been positively received by youth players and their families, with many appreciating his approachable demeanor.

A source shared with The Sun, “Carrick has been a regular at the training ground following the progress of his son. He is a lovely welcoming guy who always has time for everyone. People respect him and admire him because of his United career. But they also feel like he gets what it means to have a son in the academy. Parents were appalled by Amorim’s comments. Anyone in professional football should know how hard it is to make a career in football at any level, let alone at United.”

United’s recent performance against Manchester City marked their best of the season; however, they will need to elevate their game further to face Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Carrick acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Mikel Arteta’s team, stating, “It won’t be copy and paste. I’m never one that likes to say ‘same again’ because it’s never, ever the same again. Even if you come in at half-time and you’ve had a good performance for 45 minutes, the second half is not the same. We kept the game in good places last week and credit to the boys for that. But we’ve got to build on it. If we are at our best, we feel we’ve got a good chance.”