Manchester United's 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday night meant they'd taken the most points of any Premier League team since Michael Carrick took charge.
It remains to be seen whether Carrick will keep the Old Trafford hotseat, with the Red Devils hierarchy seemingly keeping their options open for the time being, but the former United midfielder deserves huge credit for the turnaround in fortunes since his arrival with the club now third in the Premier League.
The dismal tenure of Ruben Amorim still lingers in the memory of Manchester United fans, who were often left scratching their heads at the Portuguese's decision making. Amongst his more bemusing calls was the insistence upon a back three, with him frequently substituting defenders when chasing a game, the move to drop Bruno Fernandes into a midfield two, and the total ostracisation of Kobbie Mainoo.
Carrick's arrival brought a return to a more familiar back four, with Fernandes pushed further up field -- a role he's thrived in, with the 31-year-old closing in on the PFA Player of the Year award -- and Mainoo's reintroduction to the side.
And while more recent performances have left a little to be desired, it's hard to argue with the results. Since stepping into the Old Trafford dugout, United have beaten Manchester City at home, Arsenal away and Chelsea away, and have a mouth-watering clash at Old Trafford with misfiring Liverpool on Sunday.
At 1/500, United's place in next season's UEFA Champions League is as good as confirmed, and at 4/9, Carrick seems to be getting close to the permanent job.
Premier League table since Michael Carrick took charge
Position | Team | Played | Goal difference | Points |
1 | Manchester United | 13 | 10 | 29 |
2 | Manchester City | 12 | 11 | 27 |
3 | Arsenal | 13 | 12 | 24 |
4 | Liverpool | 13 | 9 | 23 |
5 | Bournemouth | 13 | 6 | 23 |
6 | West Ham | 13 | 5 | 22 |
7 | Brighton | 13 | 6 | 21 |
8 | Nottingham Forest | 13 | 9 | 18 |
9 | Everton | 13 | 2 | 18 |
10 | Leeds | 13 | 1 | 18 |
11 | Chelsea | 13 | -2 | 17 |
12 | Fulham | 13 | -2 | 17 |
13 | Sunderland | 13 | -8 | 16 |
14 | Crystal Palace | 12 | -2 | 15 |
15 | Aston Villa | 13 | -4 | 15 |
16 | Brentford | 13 | -4 | 15 |
17 | Newcastle United | 13 | -9 | 10 |
18 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 13 | -12 | 10 |
19 | Tottenham | 13 | -13 | 7 |
20 | Burnley | 13 | -15 | 7 |
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
