Michael Carrick has been flawless since returning as Manchester United interim head coach and his backroom staff also deserve praise for making a positive impact.
There will be Manchester United fans still scratching their eyes at beating Manchester City and Arsenal in the space of a week.
Michael Carrick only has 15 games left in charge before Ineos insist he will be replaced by a permanent appointment in the summer.
After wins vs City and Arsenal… should Michael Carrick get the Man Utd permanent job?
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When Ruben Amorim was sacked, his backroom staff were also dismissed so it was up to Michael Carrick to source his own coaches when he was appointed.
Carrick’s staff have impressed the players in training so far, and clearly it has improved on-pitch performances.
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When Carrick decided to bring Steve Holland to United, it was a decision that certainly raised eyebrows as they had not worked with each other before.
Holland has improved United’s defensive shape, and his impact was clear in the latest 3-2 win over Arsenal.
Journalist Mark Ogden, speaking on The Football Reporters podcast, explained Holland’s impact at Carrington.
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“He’s not popular. He is not the most popular coach with players, and people have told me that he can be quite hard. He can be cold. He can be arrogant at times,” Ogden said.
“He’s got a bit of a bite about him. But he’s got the track record that backs up. He’s worked at Chelsea. He’s worked in England.
“At Chelsea, he worked under Mourinho, under Ancelotti. He’s worked with the best. He’s worked with England, under a period of great success.
“You can say what you want, but they still had a successful period with England. So he’s got credentials that I don’t think any coach since Rene Meulensteen or Carlos Queiroz have had at United.”
Steve Holland balances Michael Carrick’s experience
One of the criticisms for Carrick not being given the permanent job is that he is relatively inexperienced.
The 44-year-old worked under Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United, before spending three years in charge of Middlesbrough.
But Carrick’s choice of staff helps to bring in experience from elsewhere. In Holland, he has appointed a coach who has worked under great managers and had huge success.
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Harry Maguire praised Holland’s impact on United’s defending. Holland has helped the Red Devils tighten up their back line and get the team defending as a unit.
If Carrick is offered the permanent role, it is extremely important he keeps Holland at Old Trafford.
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