Ruben Amorim once warned supporters that hardship was inevitable on the road to triumph, while Michael Carrick has repeatedly reminded them that there is a distinct "United way" of achieving success. A year ago the storylines were very different: Marcus Rashford was plying his trade at Barcelona, Carrick had just been dismissed by Middlesbrough in the Championship, and Amorim was gearing up for his inaugural full season at Old Trafford.
Fast‑forward twelve months and all three men find themselves back at the same stadium, but under completely altered circumstances. Rashford, the club’s home‑grown star, has returned to a new managerial regime, yet the change is not entirely unfamiliar to him. He now meets Carrick, who has taken over as United’s head coach and was once Rashford’s teammate and captain.
Carrick has opened his arms, offering the forward a chance to add another chapter to the narrative that began a decade ago when Rashford first broke into the first team. Amorim’s journey, by contrast, has been far more turbulent.
After being dismissed only five months into his second season, he spent the summer at AC Milan. He now faces his former employers in a pre‑season friendly, hoping to cap a winless preparation period with a victory over United. In many respects Carrick’s steady, measured approach to his new role stands in stark contrast to the drama and controversy that surrounded Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford. Rashford’s homecoming adds another layer of intrigue because Amorim had previously indicated that the player needed to move on after publicly questioning his attitude on several occasions.
United’s pre‑season clash with Milan therefore feels less like a routine exhibition and more like the next episode of a long‑running soap opera. The final pre‑season match for both clubs offers a perfect moment to reflect on the past twelve months and to assess how United have reshaped their squad and philosophy in order to launch a promising new era. Below are three major changes Carrick has introduced since Amorim’s departure. 1.
**A Return to a Classic United Formation** Amorim’s unwillingness to adapt became the defining blemish of his spell. Charged with reversing a slide in results, the Portuguese stuck stubbornly to a 3‑4‑3 system he adored.
He famously told reporters that not even the Pope could convince him to abandon the formation, a stance that ultimately contributed to his downfall. When the squad was thinned by the Africa Cup of Nations, Amorim struggled to find a tactical solution that preserved performance levels.
Though there were hints of flexibility toward the end of his tenure, he reverted to his preferred shape, creating friction with the United hierarchy and with fans who were uncomfortable with three centre‑backs and a high‑pressing style that deviated from the club’s traditional identity. In Carrick’s first match in charge, the blueprint was unmistakably "Manchester United". He used the Manchester derby as a showcase, allowing his side to attack with freedom and overwhelm Manchester City, securing a 2‑0 victory that left the visitors humbled.
The win highlighted a shift back to a more balanced, attacking shape that leverages the club’s historical strengths. 2. **Emphasis on Forward Momentum and Player Freedom** Under Carrick, United have embraced a proactive, front‑foot approach that prioritises rapid ball progression.
New signing Andrey Santos has been encouraged to break lines with incisive forward passes, while Bryan Mbeumo has thrived in a central role, making repeated runs behind the defence and unsettling opposition backlines. Bruno Fernandes, perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the new system, has been repositioned to his preferred No 10 role, where he has embarked on a creative surge that culminated in a new Premier League assist record. The doubts that once clouded United’s style have largely evaporated, replaced by a clear identity centred on quick transitions and attacking intent.
3. **A Positive Atmosphere and Renewed Ambition** The mood at Old Trafford has undergone a dramatic transformation, beginning with the change at the top. Amorim’s theatrical outbursts—ranging from storm metaphors to self‑deprecating remarks about being the worst team in the club’s history—created a pessimistic environment that rarely inspired confidence among players or supporters. When Amorim was dismissed, United were still within touching distance of a top‑four finish, but his demeanor often left fans uncertain about the club’s direction.
Carrick, by contrast, has injected optimism. He secured a Champions League place that Amorim had claimed the squad was not ready for, and his calm, encouraging communication has fostered a belief that the team can compete at the highest level. Ahead of the new season, young talents such as Leny Yoro and Bryan Mbeumo have openly expressed their desire to win the league, and Carrick has embraced these ambitions, reinforcing a collective belief that something special can be achieved.
The shift in player treatment is also evident. Under Amorim, several promising youngsters fell out of favour. Alejandro Garnacho was loaned to Aston Villa after a lackluster spell at Chelsea, and Kobbie Mainoo appeared destined for the sidelines.
Carrick, however, has given Mainoo a platform; despite not starting a league match until January, the midfielder impressed enough to earn a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Rashford’s situation remains a work in progress.
His talent has never been in doubt, but Amorim’s criticism of his conduct led to two loan moves—first to Villa and then a season‑long stint at Barcelona—before the forward’s future at United became uncertain. Carrick has now reopened the door for Rashford to return, signalling a willingness to offer second chances and to integrate the player back into the squad if he aligns with the club’s renewed culture. In summary, the transition from Amorim to Carrick has produced a clearer tactical identity, a more attacking mindset, and a healthier atmosphere at Manchester United. While the pre‑season friendly against AC Milan will serve as a litmus test for both sides, United appear poised to embark on a new chapter that blends the club’s storied traditions with modern, forward‑looking principles.
The next few months will reveal whether these changes can translate into sustained success on the pitch, but the foundations laid by Carrick suggest a brighter future for the Red Devils.