TalkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook argues Manchester United threw away a genuine title challenge this season due to Ruben Amorim’s poor management, with interim boss Michael Carrick’s impressive record proving what could have been.
Manchester United sit third in the Premier League under interim manager Michael Carrick, but according to talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook, they should be top. Amorim, sacked in January after just 14 months at Old Trafford, registered a 38.1 per cent win rate — the worst of any United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. Carrick, by contrast, has won eight of his 12 games in charge.
Crook identified five key fixtures where Amorim’s decision-making cost United crucial points. “If you put all those points together and that’s just taking you up until the end of November, United would have 13 extra points,” Crook said. From playing Altay Bayindir against Arsenal on the opening day to losing to ten-man Everton in November, Crook argued each defeat stemmed directly from flawed tactics and poor in-game management by the Portuguese coach.
Carrick’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, though talkSPORT understands no other candidates have been interviewed for the permanent role. Crook believes a title challenge next season remains possible but difficult, citing a stronger field. “If they had Michael Carrick, United would be top of the table right now and maybe closing in on title number 21,” he said, adding that this season represented a missed opportunity given rivals Arsenal, City and Liverpool all underperformed.