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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner

Carrick’s cult of common sense gets Manchester United believing again

Michael Carrick leads his players in communion with the travelling fans after Manchester United’s 3-2 win at Arsenal
Michael Carrick leads his players in communion with the travelling fans after Manchester United’s 3-2 win at Arsenal. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

What must Ruben Amorim make of it? Maybe that 3-4-2-1 might not be the answer for this Manchester United team? Perish the thought. The club’s recently sacked manager was clear that not even the pope would make him change – presumably because Leo XIV is also a big fan of three centre-halves. Saying that, Amorim did come close to losing his religion towards the bitter end, however brief and unconvincing his dalliance with a back four was. He reverted to a three for his final game at Leeds in early January.

As the dust settles on Michael Carrick’s second thrilling win as the United interim manager in two matches, the last-gasp triumph at Arsenal following the home win against Manchester City, it is a moment, first and foremost, for the club’s supporters to savour.

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