Since Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick to replace Amorim, the team has undergone a dramatic transformation. After 33 league matches, United have climbed to third place and regained control in the race for next season’s UEFA Champions League qualification.
In Matchweek 34, United hosted Brentford at Old Trafford. United had lost 3-1 in the reverse fixture, making this match crucial for points and revenge.
Carrick Fields Strongest Lineup as United Dominate Early
Carrick was determined to win at home and used his strongest available lineup. United lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Lamens started in goal, with Shaw, Heaven, Maguire, and Dalot in defense. Casemiro and Mainoo played in midfield. Diallo, Fernandes, and Mbeumo supported striker Sesko.
United started brightly and nearly opened the scoring early on when Diallo found himself with a golden chance inside the box, but his effort was blocked by a Brentford defender despite facing an almost empty net.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 11th minute. From a corner on the right side, Maguire flicked the ball on with a header, allowing Casemiro to rise at the far post and power home a close-range header to give United a 1-0 lead.
Just before halftime, United doubled its advantage. In the 43rd minute, Bruno Fernandes drove forward from midfield before delivering a perfectly weighted pass to Sesko on the left. The striker calmly shifted past his marker and fired a low shot into the net to make it 2-0.
Brentford Fight Back but United Hold Firm
After the break, Brentford responded aggressively and increased the pressure on United’s defense. In the 71st minute, Ouattara came close to scoring with a header that struck the post before attempting an overhead kick, only for Maguire to clear heroically off the line.
Brentford eventually pulled one back in the 88th minute when Jensen unleashed a stunning long-range strike from outside the penalty area, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
In the closing moments, Manchester United dropped deep and focused on protecting their lead. The Red Devils successfully held on until the final whistle, completing their revenge mission at Old Trafford while earning a crucial three points in the race for a top-four finish.
Bruno Fernandes Equals Ronaldo Record as Carrick Outshines Amorim
Following this victory, Carrick has now guided Manchester United to nine wins in his first 13 matches in charge, a record far superior to that of former manager Amorim, who managed only eight wins in his first 20 games.
Meanwhile, United captain Bruno Fernandes continues to produce world-class performances. Since joining the club, Fernandes has now been directly involved in 140 goals, officially matching the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Manchester United.
Overall, Carrick’s arrival has significantly improved Manchester United’s performances and restored the club’s status as a genuine contender. If they can maintain this form, a return to the Champions League next season looks increasingly inevitable.
