Manchester United have finally confirmed the appointment of Michael Carrick as their new interim head coach. The former Middlesborough manager and Manchester United midfielder will fill the role of head coach until the end of the season, when a permanent replacement can be hired.
Carrick's appointment will mean a shake-up in pitch dynamics, as some players will have to settle for reduced roles, while others may flourish. Here's a list of 3 players who will win big from Carrick's appointment and style, and 2 players who may have to settle for reduced roles.
3 winners from Man United appointing Michael Carrick
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo is perhaps the most obvious beneficiary from both the sacking of Ruben Amorim and the hiring of Michael Carrick. Mainoo only started one game all season under Ruben Amorim, and struggled for any game time. Michael Carrick has already spoken about his support for Mainoo, and will likely feature him much more frequently.
Carrick was married to a possession-based style of football at Middlesborough, usually setting up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Given the right midfielder partner, Kobbie Mainoo could thrive in that system and that set-up.
Benjamin Šeško
Benjamin Šeško has had a difficult start to life at Manchester United. Šeško had a tough and thankless role under Ruben Amorim, but is likely to be given more freedom in Michael Carrick's system. He is likely to be more involved in attacks, and used as more of a focal point, giving him more opportunities to score goals.
This is assuming Carrick remains true to his style at Middlesborough, but Šeško has the talent to thrive under various sytems, especially one which pushes Bruno Fernandes further forward. Speaking of which...
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes will benefit largely due to a change of role at Manchester United under Michael Carrick. Carrick's system is likely to push Bruno further forward, allowing him to link up with wingers and deliver key passes to the striker.
Bruno Fernandes will largely be used as a number 10 in Carrick's system. If Carrick sets up as expected, with players like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško making runs into central areas, then Bruno will become the key piece of the United team again, being the primary facilitator in a similar way to his role under Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
2 big losers at Michael Carrick's Man United
Manuel Ugarte
Ugarte has his strengths as a midfielder. He is sharp, strong in the tackle, an aggresive presser. He is also terrible with the ball at his feet. He seems to panic whenever the ball is with him, and often picks out the wrong pass out of a need to simply 'get rid'.
Michael Carrick's style revolves around possession. He needs midfielders who are comfortable with the ball, both at playing line-breaking passes and recycling play efficiently. Ugarte will not thrive in that system. Unless Carrick alters his style, Ugarte is destined to struggle under him.
Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo certainly has the talent to play in Carrick's system. His time at the African Cup of Nations has proved how talented he is when operating as a right winger and not a right wing-back.
Unfortunately for him, Carrick's system requires more defensive full-backs, which means he will fall behind Bryan Mbeumo in the pecking order for the right wing role. Mbeumo may be moved into the striker position to accommodate Amad, but in this new system, Amad is unlikely to enjoy the level of game-time he has experienced so far this season.