Michael Carrick has emphasized that he is not letting the growing optimism around Manchester United influence him, insisting that the club has not suddenly “figured everything out,” despite continuing their strong run of form with a composed win over Tottenham Hotspur.
United extended their momentum at Old Trafford on Saturday, with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and captain Bruno Fernandes securing a 2–0 victory over a Spurs side reduced to ten players after Cristian Romero received a reckless red card. Romero later apologized to his teammates, acknowledging the pivotal impact of his dismissal.
The turnaround at United has been striking, especially considering the season’s turbulent start. After Ruben Amorim’s sudden exit and a series of underwhelming performances, the club was revitalized by the appointment of Carrick—former midfielder, captain, and coach—tasked with managing the remainder of the season. Under his leadership, United have regained structure and belief, producing a sequence of results that few would have predicted earlier. Wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham marked the first time in two years that United have claimed four consecutive Premier League victories. This latest success lifted them to fourth place with 44 points—already surpassing their total from last season—and placed them firmly in the Champions League qualification conversation.
Despite the upturn, Carrick remained cautious when assessing progress. “It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s changed,” he said. “What I am pleased with is the players’ buy-in, the team’s connection, and that everyone is fully committed. That goes a long way. Games can look very different depending on circumstances, but being in a strong emotional place helps, and that was evident again today.”
Carrick also highlighted the tactical adaptability shown during the winning streak. “Today was different,” he noted. “We had to manage the game, control it, be patient, and deliver quality at the right moments. Each of these four victories has looked slightly different, which is encouraging. But we’re not getting carried away. There’s still a lot of work ahead, and I’m very aware of that.”
The manager reserved particular praise for Fernandes, whose composure and leadership set the tone once more, especially on a day when Tottenham’s captain suffered a difficult afternoon. Romero’s red card in the 29th minute, after catching Casemiro while challenging for the ball, decisively swung the game in United’s favor.
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank defended his captain, emphasizing that there was no malicious intent. “He clearly went for the ball,” Frank said. “He was very sorry about the incident and apologized to his teammates. He’s one of our key players, and when he’s at his best, he drives the team.”
Still, the sending-off added to Romero’s disciplinary record. The Argentine has now been dismissed six times in all competitions since joining Tottenham in August 2021—more than any other Premier League player in that period. Frank expressed surprise at the statistic but reiterated that he has no regrets about making Romero captain and would not reconsider the decision, despite a difficult week in which the player publicly criticized Spurs’ limited squad depth.
Romero will serve a four-match suspension, starting with Tuesday’s home match against Newcastle. Tottenham may also be without Destiny Udogie as injuries continue to mount, intensifying their challenge in pursuit of their first Premier League win of 2026.
Reflecting on his team’s struggles, Frank admitted that results have not reflected their performances. “We haven’t won enough Premier League games,” he said, marking a seventh consecutive top-flight match without a victory. “We’ve shown resilience in recent performances and character earlier in the season, but the results haven’t matched that. We need more quality and consistency. If we keep doing the right things, the results will come.”
For now, the contrast between the two clubs is stark: United are riding a wave of renewed confidence under Carrick, while Tottenham continue to search for solutions amid growing frustration.
