Harry Maguire namechecked Ruben Amorim during his assessment of Manchester United’s performance against Brentford under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick has been widely praised for his transformative impact since the Manchester United legend replaced Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford dugout.
The 44-year-old was installed as interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 campaign and Carrick chalked up his ninth win in charge on Monday evening.
The Red Devils interim head coach watched on from the Old Trafford touchline as Man Utd defeated Brentford 2-1 in their latest Premier League clash.
Michael Carrick now has more wins than Ruben Amorim this season in seven fewer games! What does this tell you…?
Harry Maguire pinpoints the massive tactical pivot under Michael Carrick after Ruben Amorim was sacked
Michael Carrick carefully managed his tactical approach, both with his starting XI and during the Brentford match, in his 13th Premier League fixture in charge this season.
Brentford caused a late scare against Manchester United in the second half after Mathias Jensen netted for the Bees amid the Red Devils’ 2-0 lead at the time.
However, United avoided dropping valuable Premier League points on Monday evening, which was not always the case under Ruben Amorim this season.
Speaking after Man Utd’s win, Harry Maguire explained that Carrick’s tactical shift has allowed the Red Devils to avoid the “50-50” situation in matches under Amorim.
“The results speak for themselves since the manager has come in and the formation has changed,” he told Sky Sports.
“The games under Ruben Amorim, which were 50-50, we’d always end up with a defeat, now it’s the other way around. We’re a lot better in both boxes.”
Fair play, Brentford made us work – but United were more clinical… what changes does Carrick need to make to score more goals?
Harry Maguire on Michael Carrick’s tactics and the start of the Man Utd legend’s interim head coach reign
Former United manager Amorim stuck by his tactical system for the majority of his 14-month Old Trafford spell amid some minor tweaks here and there.
The Red Devils played in a three-man backline under the 41-year-old former Sporting CP manager, while Carrick has shifted United back to a back four.
Maguire explained that the immediate bounce under Carrick and the Man Utd interim boss’ tactical approach have had a massive impact on the Red Devils’ season.
“The results help,” he said.
“We had two tough fixtures when Carrick came in against Arsenal and Man City, but we managed to get six points.
“From then [on], everyone started to believe and we got confidence. We can get a lot better in this formation. We’ll get better the longer we work as a unit.”
Amorim was sacked as Man Utd manager in January after the former Sporting CP head coach’s relationship with the Ineos regime fractured at Old Trafford.
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