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A struggling Manchester United now feels like a distant memory. Still, it was only a few months ago when the Red Devils were struggling to find any tangible form.
With the current boss, Erik ten Hag, they not only win games, but also play together as a well-oiled unit that can get results in tough games.
More before it started
After United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure ended in November 2021, Old Trafford’s higher-ups favored an interim manager over a permanent replacement (via The Looking Glass).
This gave them time to evaluate their options.
Ten Hag’s flank transformation has shown that his patient approach paid dividends.
That is not to say that all the decisions made by the club were perfect after Solskjaer’s departure. Another former United player, Michael Carrick, was put in charge as the club sought the signing of Ralf Rangnick. As a player, Carrick, familiar with the club’s culture and operations, had also been a member of Solskjaer’s support staff.
While Carrick impressed during his three-game spell, the responsibility for managing the team until the end of the 2021/22 season fell to Rangnick. Rangnick was unable to turn United’s fortunes around and oversaw a dismal campaign.
New opportunity
The former United number 16 is now thriving in a new role as manager of Championship team Middlesbrough.
By the time Carrick arrived, Boro were three points off the bottom of the table.
Also, Carrick suffered a loss to Preston in his first game on the bench. Following that defeat, Carrick and the Teeside side have enjoyed a complete renaissance, winning ten of their last thirteen league games.
Boro has gone from relegation certainty to promotion contender under the guidance of the former West Ham and Tottenham playmaker.
Only Burnley and Sheffield United seem more decisive in the league. Other than those two teams, Boro is the undisputed leader in the Championship.
Carrick honed the blunt edge that was Middlesbrough in a short spell, transforming them from ineffective challengers into universally feared opposition. Boro’s tenacious pressing approach has led to an impressive goal tally of 27 in just 14 games and the coveted title of “Team That Should Never Be Taken Lightly”.
It’s an achievement that Carrick’s forerunner, Chris Wilder, couldn’t pull off.
unwavering commitment
Middlesbrough’s revival under Carrick’s tutelage has led to the view that he should have been given preference to take charge of United rather than Rangnick.
Grateful for his three-game spell as United’s caretaker boss, Carrick shared that Solskjaer had urged him to accept the role after his departure. Carrick told The Daily Mail:
“I didn’t take the job and I forgot about Ole. He was the first one I spoke to. He said, ‘You’ve got to take it, 100 percent,’ because that’s the man he is. I have the greatest respect for him.
Still, it looks like a future manager of a team in the Premier League appeals even if the former United midfielder is committed to his current job.
Carrick said: “I’m happy doing what I’m doing. I’m not really chasing anything,” he added last month. “I’m just trying to do the best I can, enjoying the challenge and trying to give back to a club that has shown a lot of faith in me to give me this opportunity.”
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