In a stunning reversal of form that has reignited belief at Old Trafford, Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has publicly credited interim head coach Michael Carrick for galvanizing the squad, following consecutive, dramatic victories over arch-rivals Manchester City and Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Speaking after Sunday’s 3-2 triumph at the Emirates Stadium, where United came from behind twice to secure a last-gasp winner, Maguire detailed the immediate and profound impact Carrick has made since taking charge less than two weeks ago.
“The group’s really galvanised,” Maguire told Sky Sports in the aftermath of the “absolutely massive” win in North London. “Michael’s come in, he’s been brilliant with us, he’s brought a fresh energy in.” The victory at Arsenal, secured by a late goal from Matheus Cunha, backed up an equally impressive 2-0 derby win over Manchester City at Old Trafford, marking a dream start for the former United midfielder.
Maguire emphasized the significance of the result, noting that after the emotional high of the derby, backing it up away at the league leaders was crucial. “We know that the first game… you’re always up for them and you know that one-off results can happen, so we had to back it up today,” he explained.
Maguire’s praise for the caretaker manager is both effusive and insightful, drawing on their previous working relationship. “I’m really impressed,” the defender stated in an earlier interview, referencing Carrick’s prior stint as a coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
“He was a magnificent coach… He’s got great ideas, he speaks really well, and tactically he’s really good”.
Maguire believes Carrick’s subsequent managerial experience at Middlesbrough has prepared him to now fully implement his vision at United. Beyond tactics, Maguire highlighted a crucial philosophical shift Carrick introduced from his very first meeting with the squad.
“One of his big things in his first meeting was, we need to ENJOY it,” Maguire revealed. “We play for Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, you should all feel PRIVILEGED and HONOURED”.
This message, Maguire suggested, was key to reinvigorating a squad that had been laboring under intense scrutiny, with Carrick aiming to “bring the energy back into the building”.
The sentiment of a squad revitalized is echoed by match-winner Matheus Cunha, who told BBC Match of the Day that under Carrick, the team feels “more together.” Cunha credited Carrick’s deep understanding of the club, earned over years as a trophy-laden player, for fostering this renewed unity.
For his part, Carrick has remained grounded amid the euphoria, downplaying his immediate influence. Speaking after the Arsenal win, he called the performance “a good starting point” but cautioned, “It’s only been 10 days, we know it’s not going to be perfect… we need to start putting some layers on top”.
He attributed the success to the players’ willingness to buy into new ideas, saying, “The boys have been fantastic in terms of taking things on, wanting to do it and investing into it”.
Carrick also shared specific praise for Maguire, whose return from injury he described as “a calculated gamble” that paid off handsomely in the derby. “Credit to him… it just shows you what it means really to him,” Carrick said, acknowledging the defender’s leadership and solid partnership with Lisandro Martinez at the heart of the defence.
With six points from two of the season’s most daunting fixtures, United have catapulted themselves back into top-four contention.
While the club’s hierarchy insists Carrick’s role is temporary, with a permanent appointment planned for the summer, the interim coach’s spectacular beginning has inevitably sparked debate about his long-term prospects.