Lawrence returns to take Man Utd U21 role published at 10:53 GMT
10:53 GMT
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United have brought Adam Lawrence back to the club to take over their under-21 side until the end of the season.
Lawrence left United in the summer after four years, the last two as under-18 coach, and moved to Newcastle. However, he left his role as the club's under-21 player development lead earlier this month.
It means he will know many of the players he will inherit in an under-21 squad who are currently top of the Premier League 2 table.
Lawrence was reintroduced to United staff on Wednesday morning. It is thought his return has gone down well at the club, where he was a popular figure.
Darren Fletcher will continue in his role as under-18 coach. That was always his plan once his spell as interim first-team coach came to an end. United have reached the last-16 of the FA Youth Cup and beat Burnley in the Premier League Under-18 North division on Tuesday thanks to an injury-time goal from Louie Bradbury.
United's under-21 coach Travis Binnion stepped up with Fletcher but he has remained with the senior squad as part of Michael Carrick's coaching group. Tom Curtis has been filling in with the under-21s in the meantime.
If Manchester United finish in the top four of the Premier League this season, interim boss Michael Carrick must be made permanent in the summer, says United podcast presenter Gaz Drinkwater.
On this week's episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devil's Advocate podcast, co-hosts Drinkwater and Joe McGrath discussed what to do about Carrick's future after United beat Arsenal on Sunday.
"There's worry about Manchester United and what happens going forward, like is the bubble going to burst?" McGrath said.
"There's also people shining a mirror onto Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first run of games in charge and going 'this is what happened with Ole', he a had a great run of form and then we signed him up on a full contract and we got the iconic Rio Ferdinand slapping down a piece of paper [video].
"Are you worried this is going to be Ole 2.0?"
Drinkwater replied: "You know in cartoons, or like Scooby Doo where they'll have a plan A like 'let's use the key and try and get in the basement' and they try it once and it doesn't work and they go 'oh let's go to plan B' but hang on a minute – why don't you just try plan A again?
"Just because it doesn't go right the first time, doesn't mean under a completely new set of circumstances it can't work a second time. If Michael Carrick gets top four, he has to get the Manchester United job."
Gossip: Keeper Onana could return to Interpublished at 07:29 GMT
07:29 GMT
Manchester United had their eyes on Chelsea's Cole Palmer but the Blues consider the 23-year-old "untouchable" and regard the England international, who is contracted until 2033, a key player in the club's future. (Sky Sports), external
The representatives of 29-year-old Manchester United keeper Andre Onana, who is on loan at Trabzonspor, have held talks about the Cameroon international returning to former club Inter Milan in the summer. (Mail), external
Man Utd must beat the rest as well as the best - Lammenspublished at 18:06 GMT 27 January
18:06 GMT 27 January
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens says his team-mates must prove they can beat different types of opposition when they entertain Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Unexpected victories against Manchester City and Arsenal at the start of Michael Carrick's stint as head coach until the end of the season have catapulted United into the top four for the first time this season.
There is four points between them and seventh-placed Fulham, meaning European qualification, the stated aim at the start of the season, is now well within their grasp.
But Lammens knows United must prove themselves against different kinds of opposition.
The Belgian was not at Old Trafford when Fulham came from behind to draw and were unlucky not to win at Craven Cottage in August.
Fulham boss Marco Silva offered a detailed explanation afterwards for how his side turned the game around.
With five wins in their last eight games, Fulham are exactly the type of team United have struggled against, and recent home draws against West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves, plus a defeat by 10-man Everton, are part of the reason why Ruben Amorim lost his job.
"Sometimes, they are the most difficult ones, the ones you 'have to win'," said Lammens.
"We know we can play against those better teams, so now we have to win against those teams who are maybe a little bit more difficult to play against, who play with low blocks.
"If you want to be a great team, you have to win against those teams as well."
'Red Devils' kryptonite' - will Carrick handle it?published at 14:56 GMT 27 January
14:56 GMT 27 January
Alex Turk Fan writer
"Let him sign the contract. Ole's at the wheel man, he's doing his thing, Man Utd are back."
Rio Ferdinand in 2019, there, running off pure dopamine provided by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sensational stint as Manchester United's interim manager.
You'd be forgiven if you re-hashed his now-infamous outburst on Sunday evening after United beat the Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Michael Carrick's side went to the Emirates and won the match by putting three brilliant goals past Arsenal - who were unbeaten and had only conceded six times at home all season
That was, by the way, just nine days after demolishing Arsenal's closest challengers, Manchester City, in the derby at Old Trafford.
However, any judgement of Carrick's credentials for the permanent job should wait for another month or so.
Without trying to burst your bubble, Carrick now faces a new test entirely… one which Ruben Amorim failed at miserably.
The interim United boss is deservedly being heralded for his overall record. Two wins over Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, defeats of Pep Guardiola's City and Unai Emery's Villarreal, and a draw with Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea.
Yet, those are the situations in which multiple United teams of the last decade have tended to thrive in. When they have more than 50% possession… that's the real problem.
United's next three games are winnable on paper. Fulham and Spurs at home, followed by a trip to relegation-threatened West Ham United.
But can Carrick orchestrate his United team to break down a defence and use the ball well when they have most of it? That question has yet to be answered.
Amorim's United failed to beat seven of the Premier League's current bottom eight. That has been the Red Devils' kryptonite.
If Carrick is to guide this club back to the Champions League, he must mastermind a different outcome.
Will Cunha or Mount offer best cover for injured Dorgu?published at 14:54 GMT 27 January
14:54 GMT 27 January
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Two weeks ago, the loss of Patrick Dorgu would not have been viewed as particularly significant for Manchester United.
But Michael Carrick made a big call to select him as his left-sided attacker against Manchester City and Dorgu responded with a performance of energy and purpose, scoring but also shielding Luke Shaw at full-back and helping to smother City's attack.
The return of Matheus Cunha, who Carrick admitted was disappointed to be left out against City and Arsenal, seems automatic.
The former Wolves man will offer more invention going forward. But he lacks Dorgu's defensive discipline, which will ask more of Shaw, plus midfielders Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo.
If there is an alternative it would seem to come via Mason Mount, who is more defensively aware, has the creativity, and has played just once - as an 89th-minute substitute under Carrick so far.
'Brilliant start for Carrick - the players look like they're unburdened'published at 11:33 GMT 27 January
11:33 GMT 27 January
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton praised Michael Carrick on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club after his "brilliant start" as interim head coach of Manchester United, but argues that he must be judged over a longer period of time.
Carrick keeping it simplepublished at 09:15 GMT 27 January
09:15 GMT 27 January
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United's simplified style again showed that football doesn't need to be overcomplicated and certainly shouldn't be too prescriptive regarding systems.
Suddenly Michael Carrick has them in fourth with the promised land of Champions League qualification now a real possibility.
The players look like they have had straitjackets removed, the fans are still blinking in the sunlight after being sprung from prison.
Bomb squads and bad morale at the training ground seem to be from another dark, unhappy age. No-one has benefited more than Bruno Fernandes, who can now be himself and create at will.
Manchester United aren't always the most popular team in England outside of the legions of their own fans, but it would take the hardest of hearts not to wish Carrick and his staff some success - and the fans some respite after years of Premier League pain.
Meanwhile, United captain Bruno Fernandes is set to wait until the end of the season before deciding on his future, with the 31-year-old midfielder's current deal running until 2027 and having the option of a further year. (Mirror), external
No red for derby tackle on Doku the 'right decision' - Dalotpublished at 17:03 GMT 26 January
17:03 GMT 26 January
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot says it was the right decision not to send him off in the Manchester derby.
City boss Pep Guardiola was fuming that Dalot was not shown a red card for his early foul on Jeremy Doku at Old Trafford.
Referee Anthony Taylor gave a yellow and that stance was backed up by VAR Craig Pawson, with PGMO chief Howard Webb saying the pair reached the right conclusion.
Predictably, Dalot thinks so too.
"I am really comfortable with what happened," the Portugal international told BBC Radio Five Live.
"In my opinion he took the right decision because there was no big intensity in the challenge.
"In football it can go both ways, and it is always about interpretation.
"I am not afraid of being aggressive or putting every mile onto the pitch. It is what I have been doing for this club for a long time.
"As long as I wear this shirt, I will not hide myself and I will not play the victim."
🎧It's Carrick, you know?published at 16:16 GMT 26 January
16:16 GMT 26 January
The latest edition of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast has dropped on BBC Sounds.
Gaz Drinkwater, Joe McGrath and Tom Cooney discuss Manchester United's impressive Premier League win over Arsenal and what to do about Michael Carrick's future.
Arsenal 2-3 Man Utd - the fans' verdictpublished at 13:10 GMT 26 January
13:10 GMT 26 January
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester United.
Here are some of your comments:
Arsenal fans
Tim: We should have had the game wrapped up after 30 minutes. A mistake from Martin Zubimendi (who has been brilliant this year) to gift a goal out of nowhere. A blip but one I am sure we will bounce back from and go on to greater things this season.
Craig: Arsenal looked scared and too cautious, trying to avoid losing rather than trying to win. Biggest issue was up front without Viktor Gyokeres. United defenders had no real threat to mark allowing them to press further up the pitch. Arsenal need to take this on the chin and put it behind them for next week.
Nigel: Every game there is no plan B or plan C. Arteta for all his genius is actually getting caught out, easily. United knew what we would do and mugged us off. Arteta has to win something this season or go. He's has no excuses.
Deep: Fair play to United. It's typical arsenal, crumbling once again. It's the hope that kills you.
United fans
Barry: The real test of the United players mentality comes in the next few weeks against the so-called lower teams. We've had these false dawns before.
John: I really do not want to get carried away but Michael Carrick is one shrewd and cool man in charge. Manages like he used to play. Early days yes but he is not to be underestimated.
Chris: Fantastic now we are beginning to see what United can do, Carrick is doing a great job.
Gem: Absolutely wonderful to finally see Saint Michael Carrick galvanise the group. Great goals but wish Bruno would concentrate on leading rather then whinging in the first 25 minutes. Cunha brilliant finish, come on you Reds.
"His dismissal was a sign that despite how much everyone at Middlesbrough might have wanted it to work for Carrick, after nearly three years in charge he was judged to be more of the problem than the solution to their promotion woes," said Drury.
Malt explained Carrick's side slipped from a position of early promise across his almost three seasons in charge. There were huge plus points, with Malt saying a 3-2-5 formation when attacking "resulted in the best football I have seen a Middlesbrough team play", only for a slack defensive discipline to prove a negative feature that is hard to overcome.
"Boro had never been anywhere near watertight defensively under Carrick, but 2024-25 took the biscuit," she said. "We conceded comedic goals that the Benny Hill theme music would be a perfect match to. That was only one problem. Injuries struck again and, from January, Boro became a chore to watch. Ineffective, boring and one-dimensional. Carrick did not have the answers. He took us from fourth to eighth to 10th. He took us from the best football I had seen to arguably the most infuriating. I wanted him to turn it around, but he could not."
Media caption,
The early joy Carrick has delivered at Manchester United since taking caretaker charge has clearly been on display in his work previously. The issue has been maintaining early standards, upholding a style of play over a prolonged spell and - as is so often the way - having your best players available to execute what's being asked.
"When Middlesbrough had solid possession in the middle of the pitch, they would move into a 3-2-5 shape.
"Criticism of Ruben Amorim was heavily based on his 3-2-4-1 shape so it is interesting that Carrick likes his teams to attack in a similar way. No team in the Championship scored more goals in the league during Carrick's time as manager using these tactics. They dominated possession most games and their approach was measured as they looked to unpick teams.
"Although they favoured possession, when the opportunity to pass the ball more directly opened up, players were encouraged to play at speed. They scored often from fast breaks but this was mainly after the opposition turned the ball over in dangerous areas.
"Player quality and outgoing transfers meant these moments became less frequent in Carrick's final season.
"The main critique was that they became too slow and predictable on the ball. That and the space they would leave defensively, if they attacked or pressed too aggressively.
"With better player quality, the hope is that United can build upon Carrick's clear shape with players who can exploit spaces that open up. The likes of Lisandro Martinez, Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo's ability to speed up play can be valuable here."
Carrick takes Man Utd back to basics - Lammenspublished at 12:01 GMT 26 January
12:01 GMT 26 January
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Michael Carrick has delivered clear messaging to his Manchester United players over the past fortnight which has allowed them to get momentous victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.
Carrick has enjoyed the perfect start to his time in charge of United.
After spurning a succession of opportunities over the course of the season to climb into the top four, United have now managed it from the unlikeliest fixture programmes.
According to goalkeeper Senne Lammens, there is no magic technique to what Carrick has implemented.
He just has just been clear in explaining what he wants.
"I've got to be honest, there's not many special things he did," said Lammens. "It's just sticking to the basics.
"We have players with the quality that can make a difference, but you just have to do the basics right; to make sure technically we're standing right, defending well together and just [playing] as a team.
"He made it really clear what he wants from us and what he expects from us. Against Arsenal, on the pitch sometimes it didn't really come out, but if you fight as a team and keep believing in it, then you can still get the win."
What's different about Man Utd now?published at 11:23 GMT 26 January
11:23 GMT 26 January
People will naturally compare this United performance to what we saw from the same players under Ruben Amorim at the end of his time in charge, and it felt like we were watching a different team.
There is an element of motivation and communication from Michael Carrick that will have helped his players, of course, but the key for me was that they all looked really comfortable with the way the team was set up.
As I explained on Match of the Day, they look happier - their body language is good and they all want the ball - they all trust each other with the ball too, and there is visibly much more confidence.
I can understand why. It sounds quite simplistic but something that is not always talked about as much as it should be after a display and result like this, is the difference it makes when you put players in a formation that suits them, which they understand.
Here it was a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1 shape with Bruno Fernandes as a 10 behind Bryan Mbeumo. Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu were both willing to get back, because they have played as wing-backs and have done that defensive role before.
That meant United were sometimes a back six when they had to be - but even then Diallo and Dorgu still knew they were wingers when their team had the ball.
Everyone knew their jobs, with Fernandes dropping in and helping Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro, who were screening the back four nicely.
On a basic level, United's shape and what their players were asked to do, meant they defended in numbers and then, when they got the chance - bang, they flew forward. With the pace they've got, they were so dangerous.
'Fairytale stuff for Carrick'published at 08:36 GMT 26 January
08:36 GMT 26 January
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
The defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba is probably the best in European football and they are the foundations of Arsenal's title bid.
That just emphasises the job that Manchester United have done. To go away from home and score three against the meanest defence in European football is no small feat.
What a start Michael Carrick has had to his interim tenure. To have beaten Manchester City and Arsenal in two weekends is fairytale stuff for him.
Not to belittle Ruben Amorim's tactical approach, but what Carrick has done so far is not rocket science. It has been putting square pegs in square holes.
It's playing a system that the players are comfortable with. Throughout Amorim's time you never really got the sense that the players were comfortable in that system.
The first thing Carrick has done is switch to the 4-2-3-1 he played at Middlesbrough and is the heart and philosophy of what a Manchester United side should be traditionally.
They've had a brilliant start and the players have taken to his approach like a duck to water so far so fair play to him.
The fans can get excited. I understand the outlook of keeping things grounded and it has only been two games, but they are two games against your local rivals and the Champions elect.
You have come out of that with six points. If you can't get elated about that then we might as well call it a day. It has been a brilliant seven days for United and Carrick.
Rooney backs Carrick's Man Utd academy interestpublished at 08:22 GMT 26 January
08:22 GMT 26 January
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Michael Carrick (centre) went to watch Manchester United's Under-21 side with coaches Jonathan Woodgate (left) and Steve Holland (wearing cap) at Leigh last week
Wayne Rooney has backed Michael Carrick's decision to watch two academy games in his first fortnight in charge of Manchester United and says the move will have a big impact on the club's young players and their parents.
In addition to masterminding Premier League victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, Carrick and his coaching team went to Leigh on Tuesday to watch United's Under 21 side.
Then, on Friday, Carrick sat with Rooney in the directors' box as his son Kai Rooney came off the bench to help United move into the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup by beating Derby.
Although he did see an academy game on a training pitch at Carrington, Ruben Amorim was never spotted watching the club's young players in person at a stadium.
"It is great to see all the coaches taking a big interest in the academy," Rooney told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"In the next few years some of those players might get an opportunity for the first team so it is important they have that interest.
"On Saturday, they were all at the Under-16 game as well before they travelled to London.
"It is great to see that coming back into the club.
"I have been quite vocal on this. It used to be the norm but it has been missing in the last few years.
"With my two lads in the academy, I haven't seen that and it was a bit disappointing.
"The lift it gives to the players, and the players' parents, seeing the first team manager there. That is how the club should be run."
Image source, Getty Images
