Man Utd's Carrick Wins 4, Draws 1 in First Five Games

Michael Carrick is proving that sometimes the best gambles pay off in the most exciting ways.

In just his first month as Manchester United manager, Carrick has racked up four wins and one draw across five league matches. That includes unexpected victories over title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal, plus crucial wins against Fulham and Tottenham.

The run has lifted United to fourth place in the Premier League table, putting them back in contention for Champions League football. Just weeks ago, after former manager Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January, few fans could have imagined this turnaround.

Carrick's latest test came at West Ham on Saturday, where his team appeared headed for defeat. With just minutes remaining and his attacking players struggling to make an impact, the new manager made a bold choice.

He pulled off defender Diogo Dalot and brought on striker Joshua Zirkzee with eight minutes left. Carrick switched to three defenders and pushed everyone else forward, risking a second goal against to chase an equalizer.

The gamble could have backfired. West Ham had chances to put the game away, but two brilliant tackles from substitute Leny Yoro and a key save kept United alive.

Then, in the 96th minute, striker Benjamin Sesko delivered a stunning finish to salvage a point. The goal capped off a remarkable stretch that saw United score an 87th-minute winner against Arsenal, a 90th-minute winner against Fulham, and now this dramatic late equalizer.

Why This Inspires

Carrick's approach echoes the philosophy of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who always believed in fighting until the final whistle. That never-say-die attitude is exactly what Ferguson used to turn so many seemingly lost matches into famous victories during his stellar career.

The new manager isn't claiming perfection. He openly admits that Saturday's performance wasn't United's best, and that sometimes games feel "a bit stodgy" rather than flowing naturally.

But he's instilling something equally valuable: the belief that giving up is never an option. With a 12-day break before their next match at Everton, Carrick has time to let injured players recover and reflect on what's working.

United's unbeaten streak now stretches to nine league games across three different managers. For a team that looked lost just weeks ago, that's genuine progress worth celebrating.