Carrick's Manchester United Achieves Remarkable Start Matching Portuguese Coach's Record
Manchester United's interim manager Michael Carrick has made an impressive start to his tenure at Old Trafford, equalling the early record set by Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim during his time with the Premier League giants. The Red Devils secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fulham on Sunday, February 1, marking Carrick's third consecutive win since taking charge in January.
Thrilling Encounter at Old Trafford Sees Late Drama
The match against Fulham proved to be a rollercoaster affair that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. Manchester United took control early in the game when Brazilian midfielder Casemiro scored a beautiful header in the 19th minute, converting a precise free-kick from Bruno Fernandes. The home side doubled their advantage in the 56th minute through Cunha, who had been included in the starting lineup following an injury to Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu.
Just when it seemed Manchester United would cruise to victory, Fulham staged a remarkable comeback in the closing stages of regular time. Mexican forward Raul Jimenez converted a penalty, and Kevin scored his first Premier League goal moments into stoppage time to level the score at 2-2. However, substitute Benjamin Sesko became the hero for the Red Devils, scoring the winning goal four minutes into added time to secure all three points for Manchester United.
Statistical Milestone for Interim Manager
With this victory, Michael Carrick has now matched Ruben Amorim's achievement of three consecutive Premier League wins at the beginning of his managerial stint. According to football statistics, it took Amorim thirty-seven league matches to accomplish this feat during his time with Manchester United. Carrick has achieved this milestone in just three games since taking over in January, recording victories against Manchester City (2-0), Arsenal (3-2), and now Fulham (3-2).
The victory against Fulham propelled Manchester United back into the Premier League's top four with forty-one points, demonstrating the immediate impact Carrick has made since assuming the interim role. The former Manchester United midfielder has brought renewed energy and tactical clarity to the team during this transitional period.
Fan Reactions and Manager's Perspective
Manchester United supporters have expressed their excitement about Carrick's promising start through various social media platforms. One fan noted the immediate impact compared to Amorim's slower progression, while another praised what they described as proper United DNA in Carrick's approach. Some supporters have even suggested that Carrick could be the manager to lead Manchester United back to championship contention.
After the match, Carrick acknowledged the challenging nature of the encounter against Fulham. He explained that he anticipated a difficult game, noting that Fulham had previously demonstrated their resilience by nearly staging a comeback against Manchester City after being 5-1 down. Carrick emphasized that even when Manchester United led 2-0, he remained aware of Fulham's potential to fight back, making the eventual victory particularly satisfying.
Broader Context and Team Performance
This victory continues Manchester United's recent strong form, which includes becoming the first club to score more than two goals against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this season. That particular result handed Arsenal their first defeat in thirteen matches across all competitions since their loss to Aston Villa in December 2025.
The dramatic nature of the Fulham victory, combined with Carrick's achievement in matching Amorim's record, has generated significant optimism among Manchester United supporters. As the team continues its Premier League campaign, all eyes will be on whether Carrick can maintain this impressive start and potentially secure the interim manager position on a permanent basis.
