Michael Carrick only began to work with Manchester United’s squad on Wednesday, yet his team went about this game with a structure, style and purpose rarely seen during a difficult 2025.
The Old Trafford crowd were swept along with the impressive defensive work-rate from the home side. When United lost the ball, they would flood back in to protect the back four.
And when it was time to attack, United did so with gusto.
This was a United performance earned in sweat, with multiple players deciding to be brave and putting a foot forward, when in previous weeks they might have taken a step back.
