Carrick's Real Examination: Fulham Proves More Telling Than Any Big-Six Scalp

Dispatching Manchester City and Arsenal makes for splendid headlines. Genuinely does. It demonstrates tactical acumen against elite opposition. Yet it's the Fulhams, the Crystal Palaces, the Evertons of this world where Michael Carrick's mettle is truly tested.

His predecessor's record against the traditional powerhouses wasn't dreadful. Victory at the Etihad. Victory at Anfield. Victory at the Emirates—admittedly requiring penalties. Wins over Newcastle and Chelsea at home this season. Even a 7-1 aggregate demolition of Athletic Bilbao in last season's Europa League semi-finals. But the final chapter told a different story: a goalless draw at Leeds, defeat to ten-man Everton at home, an inability to beat Wolves—potentially the division's worst outfit—in their own backyard, and a stalemate with a woeful West Ham side. Each month seemed to bring fresh disappointment.

Carrick's opening fortnight has been refreshingly straightforward. The much-beloved Back To Basics mantra gets thrown around without proper definition, yet here it's manifest: Rondos. Starting Kobbie Mainoo. Direct football. Arsenal fell victim to a counter-attacking outfit clinical in front of goal, a week after their impressive City performance.

Sunday presented a different proposition. For the first time in three Carrick matches, Manchester United arrived as favourites against Fulham. They navigated that pressure to pass a genuinely significant examination, though only just.

The 3-2 scoreline tells you everything: United were far from flawless. Chances leaked out consistently. Three goals conceded, one adjudged offside by the narrowest margin. Carrick's side play direct, even with Bryan Mbeumo operating as a lone striker. They thrive on second balls and transition effectively. Sometimes their defensive organisation clicks. Other moments expose the club's contemporary vulnerabilities.

Raul Jimenez's late penalty made matters anxious. United capitulated as Kevin's strike levelled proceedings. Yet that unmistakable United character surfaced when substitute Benjamin Sesko bundled in a 94th-minute winner.

A crucial test, certainly—but equally instructive. Chelsea and Liam Rosenior learned that rotating key personnel carries risk. Carrick discovered that removing them, even at 2-0 up, carries similar danger.

Casemiro, Amorim's signature success, continued his impressive trajectory with a goal and assist, making a compelling case for contract extension beyond summer. Yet United's dominance evaporated upon his withdrawal. The Brazilian has travelled far from that Selhurst Park evening, becoming irreplaceable—apparently unable to miss a single minute.

His finish came via a commanding back-post header from Bruno Fernandes' free-kick, awarded after Jorge Cuenca tugged Matheus Cunha's shirt. Initially United protested for a penalty; replays suggested a goal-kick was warranted. Marco Silva will have opinions.

Beyond the goal contributions, Casemiro orchestrated midfield proceedings with authority. The partnership with Mainoo provides excellent equilibrium, and with Fernandes operating ahead of them? Quite something. For Carrick, it's simply a matter of deploying your finest talents in their optimal roles, then standing with hands clasped behind your back whilst a properly functioning XI operates. Going forward, he'll keep his best players on the pitch longer. Remarkably, that beats introducing Manuel Ugarte.

Despite the scare—and the alternative narrative it could have prompted—Carrick's unblemished record persists. Comfort dominated against inferior opposition in good form, which speaks volumes about Carrick and his team's credentials more than victories over the league's top two, especially given the predecessor's struggles in precisely these fixtures.

Two wins from two at Old Trafford. An away victory against the leaders, unbeaten at home before United's superb 3-2 triumph. Arsenal's miserly defence—which hadn't shipped three goals in a match since December 2023—was also breached. Two full calendar years without conceding three in a game represents something special. For all the talk of Arsenal's collapse, Carrick deserves significant credit for that performance, not merely his impressive early trajectory.

Aston Villa might well glance nervously over their shoulder. Carrick's United appear energised. The squad looks confident and settled. Everyone contributes. Partnerships function across the pitch. For once, there's genuine enjoyment, players who actually respect one another.

They're simply operating after appearing completely adrift merely a month prior. Carrickball is flourishing. That's what the cognoscenti are saying, anyway.