Ruben Amorim once warned supporters that hardship was a prerequisite for triumph, while Michael Carrick has reminded them that there is a distinctly "United" way to achieve success. A year ago the landscape looked very different: Marcus Rashford was plying his trade at Barcelona, Carrick had just been dismissed from his role at Middlesbrough in the Championship, and Amorim was gearing up for his inaugural full campaign at Old Trafford.
Fast‑forward twelve months and all three figures find themselves converging at the same stadium, but under dramatically altered circumstances. Rashford, the club’s home‑grown talisman, has returned to a new managerial regime, yet the change feels less novel than it appears. He now faces Carrick – the newly appointed head coach and his former teammate and captain – who has opened his arms and offered the striker a chance to add another chapter to the story that began a decade ago in Manchester.
Amorim, by contrast, was dismissed midway through the previous season, spent the summer at AC Milan, and now seeks to cap an otherwise winless pre‑season with a victory over his former employers. In many respects Carrick’s measured, stoic approach to his early days at United stands in stark contrast to the turbulence that defined Amorim’s tenure at the club.
Rashford’s homecoming adds another layer of intrigue. Amorim had publicly questioned the England forward’s attitude on several occasions and, according to reports, felt compelled to move him on. The pre‑season clash between United and AC Milan therefore feels less like a routine friendly and more like the next episode of a football‑focused soap opera.
This final warm‑up match for both sides offers a convenient moment to reflect on how United have reshaped their squad and philosophy since Amorim’s departure, and to highlight three key changes Carrick has introduced. First, tactical rigidity has been replaced by flexibility.
Amorim arrived with a clear vision: a 3‑4‑3 system that he defended fiercely, even claiming that not even the Pope could persuade him to abandon it. When the African Cup of Nations depleted the squad, he struggled to adapt, and his inability to tweak the formation became a point of friction with the club hierarchy and the fanbase. By the end of his spell there were brief hints of compromise, but he ultimately reverted to his original setup, a factor that many insiders cite as the root cause of his downfall. Carrick, on the other hand, has reinstated a more recognisable Manchester United identity.
In his very first match in charge – a Manchester derby – he gave the team licence to attack, unleashing a wave of forward play that saw United dismantle City 2‑0. The emphasis has shifted to a proactive, front‑foot style that seeks to move the ball quickly up the pitch. New signings such as Andrey Santos have been encouraged to break lines with incisive passes, while Bryan Mbeumo has thrived in a central role, constantly making runs behind the defence and creating space for his teammates.
Second, player roles have been re‑aligned to suit individual strengths. Bruno Fernandes, for example, has flourished under Carrick’s guidance, being repositioned into his preferred No 10 slot where he has embarked on a creative surge, even breaking the Premier League assist record.
The uncertainty surrounding United’s style that lingered during Amorim’s era has largely evaporated, replaced by a clear game plan that players understand and execute with confidence. Third, the atmosphere at Old Trafford has undergone a noticeable transformation. Amorim’s tenure was punctuated by dramatic outbursts and bleak predictions – references to storms, suffering, and even claims that United were the worst side in the club’s history. Such rhetoric fostered a pessimistic mood among supporters and players alike.
Carrick’s arrival, however, has ushered in optimism. The manager’s calm demeanor and willingness to grant second chances have resonated throughout the squad.
Young talents like Leny Yoro and Mbeumo have spoken openly about their ambition to win the league, and Carrick has embraced those aspirations, signalling that the club is aiming higher than merely securing a Champions League berth. The shift in mentality extends to how the manager handles fringe players.
Under Amorim, players who fell out of favour often saw their futures sealed – Alejandro Garnacho, after a lackluster loan at Chelsea, was sent to Aston Villa; Kobbie Mainoo struggled for minutes and appeared on the periphery. Carrick, conversely, has given Mainoo a prominent role, and despite not starting a league match until January, the midfielder earned a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year. This more inclusive approach suggests a culture where talent is nurtured rather than discarded.
Rashford’s situation remains a work in progress. While his quality on the pitch has never been in doubt, Amorim’s criticism of his conduct led to speculation about his long‑term place at United. Carrick’s willingness to reintegrate the striker offers a potential redemption arc, but success will depend on Rashford’s alignment with the club’s renewed ethos and his performance when called upon.
Overall, Carrick’s first year has been marked by three fundamental changes: tactical adaptability, role optimisation for key players, and a revitalised club atmosphere that encourages optimism and second chances. These adjustments have already borne fruit, as United secured a Champions League spot that Amorim had previously deemed unattainable. With a refreshed squad, a clear playing philosophy, and a manager who values both results and morale, Manchester United appear poised to embark on a promising new chapter, leaving the drama of the past season firmly behind them.