Michael Carrick has tasted defeat for the first time as Man Utd manager, and his antics after full-time against Newcastle suggest a change is coming.
Immense credit needs to be given to Michael Carrick for the way he has stabilised the ship at Man Utd after taking over from the burned bridges of Ruben Amorim.
He has done so with smart tactical tweaks, a calm communication strategy, and quietening the noise surrounding the club.
However, what he did at full-time vs Newcastle suggests that Man Utd are about to see another side of him, which he already warned about once before.
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Michael Carrick’s antics at full-time vs Newcastle
So far, Carrick’s biggest selling point is the sense of calmness he has brought to the chaos of Man Utd.
Ruben Amorim was adding to the chaos with his inflammatory statements, so Carrick’s approach has been a breath of fresh air.
However, that doesn’t mean he’s a soft-touch, just that he hasn’t felt the need to bring his other side out since the team was winning.
He said earlier this season that there’s a “time and place” to bring something akin to Sir Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer style treatment, and after what he did against Newcastle, that time has arrived.
As soon as the full-time whistle confirmed United’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle, Carrick immediately shook hands with the Newcastle staff, ran over to clap the away end, and ran straight back down the tunnel.
It was a stark departure from his usual MO of spending time talking to each player with an arm around their shoulder at full-time.
Loss to 10-men Everton under Amorim vs Loss to 10-men Newcastle under Carrick
Which defeat is worse? Did Carrick repeat any Amorim mistake from that game?
Clearly, the things he wanted to say to them this time were best suited to be said in a closed dressing room, hence his run down the tunnel without meeting any player.
Carrick deserves credit for not airing the club’s dirty laundry out in public and not throwing anyone under the bus, but a switch has clearly been flicked.
What the reaction to this defeat ends up being against Aston Villa in about ten days’ time could go a long way towards establishing whether Carrick is the man for the permanent job.
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