Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has publicly credited interim manager Michael Carrick for engineering a remarkable turnaround at the club, revealing he predicted Carrick’s managerial success four years ago.
The endorsement follows United’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, their fourth consecutive Premier League win since Carrick took charge last month.
Following a comfortable win against ten-man Spurs, secured by goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Fernandes, the Portuguese midfielder explained the profound impact Carrick has made in a short time.
“I think Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility,” Fernandes told TNT Sports, highlighting the manager’s empowering approach. “He’s very good with the words”.
Fernandes also disclosed a telling conversation from Carrick’s previous three-game interim stint in 2021, stating, “I think he still remembers what I told him the last time he was our manager… I was sure that Michael could be a great manager, and he’s just showing it”.
Central to Carrick’s instant rapport with the squad is his deep understanding of the club’s culture, forged during his 12-year playing career at Old Trafford where he won five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Fernandes believes this legacy is a critical asset. “Michael has won everything here and he knows what it means for these fans, what it means for the club to win and how much is needed to win at this football club,” the captain said. “I think that adds something special to the team”.
This sentiment points to a restoration of standards and identity that had seemingly been lost.
The statistics underscore the dramatic reversal in fortunes. The victory over Tottenham marked United’s fourth straight league win, a feat not accomplished in two years.
More strikingly, with 44 points from 25 matches, the team has already surpassed the 42-point total from the entirety of last season.
The results have propelled United to fourth in the table, opening up a five-point cushion in the race for Champions League qualification and reigniting optimism around the club.
Despite the surge in form, Fernandes struck a note of caution, emphasizing the need for sustained focus. “When we win games the confidence goes higher and higher,” he acknowledged.
“It is very important for us to maintain the focus and not overdo it now… If you don’t win the next one… you will get back into the same place where you don’t feel comfortable”. This mature perspective reflects the leadership Carrick has instilled, balancing celebration with a clear-eyed view of the work ahead.
Initially appointed on a short-term deal until the season’s end, Carrick’s perfect start, seven games undefeated across two interim spells, has inevitably sparked discussions about his long-term future at the club.
While the hierarchy continues its search for a permanent manager, the combination of immediate results, improved performances, and strong player endorsement makes a compelling case for the former midfielder.