Michael Carrick's appointment as head coach of Manchester United has been met with cautious optimism, as the club seeks to rebuild its identity and establish a long-term footballing philosophy. Carrick, a former Champions League winner and tactically astute midfielder, embodies the qualities United have been lacking in recent years: composure, structure, and control. His vision is influencing the club's direction, with an emphasis on intelligence and discipline.

Carrick's coaching philosophy emphasizes dynamic play and attacking flair, a shift from previous strategies. He wants his players to express themselves freely on the pitch while maintaining tactical discipline. Carrick's backroom staff has been carefully selected to balance elite tactical expertise, experience, and long-term player development. The aim is to quietly build how football is played at the club.

Carrick's preference is a 4-2-3-1 formation, with occasional use of a 4-4-2. He swiftly introduced a passing style involving frequent short passes. During his time managing Middlesbrough, his team ranked high for total number of passes and passing rate. In build-up, Carrick's teams look to dominate central spaces with numbers, with a double pivot connecting with the centre-backs.

One bold decision Carrick faces is how to integrate young talent into the squad. Kobbie Mainoo, for instance, has committed his future to United and is excited to work with Carrick. Carrick sees Mainoo as a cornerstone of his plans, valuing his composure and ability to dictate play.

Carrick has been described as unobtrusive and low-key since taking over. He has avoided grand statements and focused on delivering results. This approach has been a triumph of substance over style. Following Carrick's appointment, Manchester United has welcomed the launch of the Old Trafford regeneration mayoral development corporation and are pushing ahead with plans to build a new Old Trafford and regenerate the surrounding area. The club described the meeting as a 'landmark' development in the journey towards building a world-class 100,000-seater Old Trafford and a regenerated area around the stadium.

Carrick's initial success has demonstrably changed the mood and performance levels at the club. He has secured victories against top teams, instilling a sense of belief and optimism among fans.