Michael Carrick has started his time at Old Trafford steadily, preparing for matches with a full week in between, except for the City game where motivation was clear.
Since then, Carrick’s team has faced Arsenal, Fulham, and Spurs on weekends, which has given him and his staff plenty of time to work with a consistent squad.
This stability has allowed him to keep the same lineup in the last two matches, and it could have been three if Patrick Dorgu hadn’t been injured.
The weekly match schedule offers enough recovery time, helping players to stay fit and improve team chemistry.
However, the next challenge comes quickly against West Ham United, with only about 72 hours between games.
Mbeumo raised some concern after limping off against Spurs, making this Carrick’s first real challenge in managing squad rotation.
If he handles this stretch well, especially as Champions League qualification seems increasingly possible, it will affirm his approach.
Carrick Must Avoid Previous Mistakes
This match is crucial not just for points but also for Carrick to establish his own identity, moving away from comparisons with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
While Solskjaer gained fame as a super-sub, his squad management often raised concerns during his tenure.
He frequently relied on his favored starting players, which led to noticeable quality dips when others filled in.
Carrick has limited opportunities this season with tight match schedules, so he needs to make wise rotation choices.
Smart adjustments to the lineup could reflect just as well on him as the victories over City and Arsenal.