He Manchester United He is living his best moment in years. The 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace not only consolidated the team in third place in the Premier Leaguebut it reinforced the candidacy of Michael Carrick as a permanent coach.
Since taking over as interim, Carrick has transformed the team: 19 points out of a possible 21 and seven unbeaten games, numbers that no previous coach managed to sustain in recent years at Old Trafford.
Carrick achieves what no one could in the post-Ferguson era
After years of instability on the bench, United once again shows identity, connection with the fans and consistent results.
What Carrick represents for the club:
Best recent unbeaten streak under interim coach
Immediate effectiveness in the fight for Champions League positions
Total reconnection between equipment and stands
Tactical stability without drastic revolutions
The connection with the fans, visible in the chants at Old Trafford, is the strongest since the era of Sir Alex Ferguson. Carrick, visibly moved, highlighted the “enormous connection” with the stands and avoided taking all the credit, pointing out the attitude and personality of his players.
The match: character, reaction and punch
The meeting was not easy. Maxence Lacroix put Palace ahead after beating Leny Yoro from a corner taken by Brennan Johnson.
But the game changed after Lacroix was sent off for knocking down Matheus Cunha inside the area. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty and then assisted with a precise cross that Benjamin Sesko headed in for the final 2-1.
Sesko silences criticism and justifies his signing
The Slovenian striker is going through a spectacular moment:
- 7 goals in his last 8 games
- Decisive goal against Palace
- £74 million signing that begins to justify his price
Carrick praised his humility, work ethic and progressive adaptation to the club. The attacker, for his part, celebrated with a message that ignited the fans even more: “We are Man United and we are never going to stop.”
Key tactical adjustments
Carrick explained that at half-time he made “small adjustments” to the formation and asked for more aggressiveness in attack. More than a tactical revolution, the change was mental: reaction to adversity and confidence to compete at the top.
That nuance is precisely what differentiates his management from that of previous technicians: simplicity, clarity and emotional response from the group.
Context in the Premier League
While United consolidates third, the panorama at the bottom is burning:
Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 to Fulham and remains winless in 2026.
Nottingham Forest lost 2-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion and remains close to relegation.
The contrast is clear: while other giants falter, United is once again looking up.
Should Carrick stay?
The big question now is not whether Carrick can sustain the project, but whether the club can afford not to continue it.
He has achieved in weeks what other coaches have not achieved in years:
- Regularity
- Identity
- Immediate results
- Total union with the fans
Old Trafford believes again. And that, at Manchester United, changes everything.
