Michael Carrick has today continued a pleasing trend that will only win him plaudits from the Manchester United fanbase.
Manchester United have enjoyed a recent resurgence following the appointment of Michael Carrick, who replaced Rúben Amorim and Darren Fletcher, who enjoyed a brief interim spell.
Carrick has been praised for returning the ‘Manchester United DNA’ to the club with an emphasis on fast and dynamic counterattacks as well as defending with courage, something the club have lacked since the time of Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
After not featuring for the majority of the season, academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has been a vital cog in Carrick’s system as he has started both of the games under the new manager so far.
The return of Mainoo to the side is more than just the return of a previously out-of-favour player to the side, but a symbol of Carrick’s view of the academy system.
Carrick continues academy trend
Under Amorim, it was widely reported that the Portuguese manager did not attend academy games, with the only known one an under-18s match at Carrington.
This, alongside his scathing comments on the likes of Harry Amass and Chido Obi, as well as young players in the first team like Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Šeško, seemed to create a disconnect with the fanbase.
However, Carrick has set about restoring the vital link between the academy and the first-team, which is at the very heart of the foundations of Manchester United.
According to Mike McGrath at the Telegraph, Carrick and Steve Holland have attended another under-18 game as they take an interest in the long-term talents at United. This is in line with the recent trend of the coaching duo, with them attending numerous academy games, including the FA Youth Cup tie against Derby.
Return of ‘youth, courage and success.’
Throughout the entirety of Manchester United’s history, the youth, whether that is the academy or the young talents the club have been signed, have been essential to the success of the club.
Even in recent times, where the club have struggled since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Scott McTominay, and Mainoo have all broken through and become instrumental parts of the side.
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As of now, Mainoo is the only first-team regular who has been brought up through the academy. The likes of Shea Lacey, Bendito Mantato, and Jack Fletcher have all made their debuts in recent times, but there still needs to be more regular representation in the squad by academy players.
Even if he does not stay permanently, the job Carrick is doing in repairing the damaged link between the academy and the first team could end up being his biggest success, as it directly impacts the future of the club.
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