Michael Carrick has taken over from Ruben Amorim and put the exact same Manchester United squad on the brink of Champions League qualification.
A 2-1 win over Brentford means that Manchester United are now just two points away from mathematically securing Champions League qualification.
Ruben Amorim was sacked by United in January when the Red Devils were sitting sixth in the Premier League table.
But Michael Carrick’s interim spell has been nothing short of sensational, and United are now third.
Who was your Manchester United man of the match vs Brentford?
Michael Carrick has more wins than Ruben Amorim this season
Last week, Ryan Giggs says Amorim deserves more credit for the position he left United in, and even if he is right, there is no denying that this squad has reached a new gear under Carrick.
In 13 matches under Carrick, United have won nine games. Since his appointment, no Premier League team has earned more points.
Amazingly, the win over Brentford means that Carrick now has more wins than Amorim achieved with United in 2025/26.
Carrick has achieved this feat despite managing seven fewer games than the Portuguese coach.
Michael Carrick now has more wins than Ruben Amorim this season in seven fewer games! What does this tell you…?
Michael Carrick used Ruben Amorim’s formation vs Brentford
One of Amorim’s biggest issues was trying to force his 3-4-2-1 formation onto this United squad.
But ironically, Carrick used that exact formation to great effect to help secure all three points against Brentford.
Carrick decided to replace Amad Diallo with Noussair Mazraoui at half-time, dropping United into a 3-4-2-1 shape with three centre-backs nullifying Brentford’s physical threat.
It was a great showing of Carrick’s tactical versatility, and another example why he is the frontrunner for the permanent head coach.
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