Carrick’s early wins over title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal were unexpected. Although we anticipated the fixtures against Fulham and Tottenham, they were not without challenges that required resolution.
Combined with the failures of Chelsea and Liverpool, the end result is United in fourth place, an easier, but by no means significant, advantage in the quest for a Champions League return than some might have imagined in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal after the draw at Leeds on January 4.
“We know how difficult it is to string together plays in this league,” said Carrick, whose team is now unbeaten in nine league games under three managers, including interim Darren Fletcher.
“Sometimes it comes naturally; it flows and everything clicks. You look really dangerous and there’s a spark. Sometimes it’s a little stilted.”
Carrick’s team’s ability to deliver winning performances against expected opponents remains a question.
Many believed West Ham were in that category, even though Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were aiming for their fourth win in five league games and had led Chelsea 2–0 in the match they lost.
Carrick could not manage a victory.
He took a calculated risk to salvage a seemingly lost game.
When Manchester United drew a match against West Ham at Old Trafford in December, Amorim’s only replacement with an attacking player was Mason Mount in place of Joshua Zirkzee 12 minutes from time.
His final change was to replace one defender, Lisandro Martínez, for another, Luke Shaw. Midfielder Kobi Manu and young forward Shea Lacey remained on the bench.
Carrick gambled at the London Stadium. This is not the case with Cesco, who replaced Matheus Cunha, who was ineffective, a charge that could be levelled against all of United’s attacking players on this occasion.
The element of risk and reward came through the introduction of Zirkzee for full-back Diogo Dalot eight minutes from time.
Carrick switched to a back three and led the men forward.
He knew there was a chance to give even a second. It didn’t happen, thanks to two brilliant saving tackles by another substitute, Lenny Yarrow, and a save by Sené Lammens.
The result meant that as soon as five of the seven added minutes of injury time were up, Carrick’s team still had a chance. Czechia’s stellar performance ensured that they did not go home empty-handed.
“It’s always worthwhile trying to get something out of the game,” Carrick said of his replacement.
“We all want to perform the best, to be the best we can be.
“Sometimes it doesn’t happen, but that doesn’t mean you give up.
“Obviously, we adopted an aggressive strategy with three defenders at the back while the rest of the team focused on attacking to secure that goal.” That’s the way we should do it.”
This strategy is directly inspired by the tactics of Sir Alex Ferguson. He was always willing to gamble to get the desired results and he felt this was the reason why he achieved so many successes late in his illustrious career.
The 87th-minute winner against Arsenal, the 90th-minute winner against Fulham and now the 95th-minute equaliser against West Ham.
Carrick is happy with 13 of 15 points in his first block of games.
As he regroups ahead of the next three-match run, he will be equally pleased with the spirit and never-say-die attitude that helped him achieve that.
