He's taken good care of United

Have you ever wondered which Manchester United head coach has had the most outstanding beginning of his spell at the Red Devils' bench? We have. It's Michael Carrick.

Not Tommy Docherty, not Ron Atkinson, not Sir Matt Busby, not Sir Alex Ferguson. Michael Carrick.

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In his first stint in United's dugout as a caretaker in November 2021, the former midfielder recorded wins over Villarreal and Arsenal (interestingly, again 3-2) and a draw against Chelsea before leaving the position to Ralf Rangnick.

Four years later, in desperation, the club at which he spent 12 years reached out to him for help again. So, he returned and continued as if he never left with another two victories, this time much more significant for confidence, for history, for the outcome of this United's season full of ups and downs.

In the span of eight days, Carrick brushed aside two Spaniards, two tactical geniuses, both the mentor and the student, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta. The Red Devils beat two table-topping teams, Manchester City and Arsenal, becoming the first side since Everton in 2010 to record back-to-back victories against the two leaders.

Yesterday's 3-2 win - 1515 days after Carrick's first 3-2 win over the Gunners as United's caretaker - was the first away triumph against the North London side for the Old Trafford crew since December 2017.

We could list several more exceptional achievements the Red Devils accomplished yesterday, but you get the gist - their "eternal caretaker" has taken good care of them. At least so far.

Still, Carrick's predecessors, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, both knew how to step up against the favourites from the Premier League's "Big Six" on occasion. The duels against the bottom-half clubs got the Dutchman and the Portuguese fired.

Hence, Carrick's true tests have yet to come, as the clashes against Fulham, West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Co. will reveal if he has genuinely changed United's mindset and altered their identity.

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If yes, those ugly attributive nouns "caretaker" and "interim" could soon be gone, Carrick would become his former club's manager, and this could be the beginning of one beautiful story of the Red Devils' resurrection.

If not, he'll just be remembered as the tactician who had the most outstanding start of his spell in the Old Trafford dugout.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 23

Saturday

West Ham - Sunderland 3-1 (3-0)

/Summerville 14, Bowen 28 pen, Fernandes 43 - Brobbey 66/

Burnley - Tottenham 2-2 (1-1)

/Tuanzebe 45, Foster 76 - Van de Ven 38, Romero 90/

Fulham - Brighton 2-1 (0-1)

/Chukwueze 72, Wilson 90+2 - Ayari 28/

Man. City - Wolverhampton 2-0 (2-0)

/Marmoush 6, Semenyo 45+2/

Bournemouth - Liverpool 3-2 (2-1)

/Evanilson 26, Jimenez 33, Adli 90+5 - Van Dijk 45, Szoboszlai 80/

Sunday

Brentford - Nottingham Forest 0-2 (0-1)

/Jesus 12, Awoniyi 79/

Crystal Palace - Chelsea 1-3 (0-1)

/Richards 88 - Estevao 34, Pedro 50, Fernandez 64 pen/

Newcastle - Aston Villa 0-2 (0-1)

/Buendia 19, Watkins 88/

Arsenal - Manchester United 2-3 (1-1)

/Martinez 29 og, Merino 84 - Mbeumo 37, Dorgu 51, Cunha 87/

Monday

23.00: (2.55) Everton (3.25) Leeds (3.10)

***odds are subject to change***