Carrick’s Simplified Approach: Sesko & Fernandes Thrive at Man Utd

Manchester United’s recent resurgence under interim manager Michael Carrick is being attributed, in part, to a simplified tactical approach that is unlocking the potential of key players, including striker Benjamin Šeško. That’s according to Micah Richards, the former Manchester City defender, who highlighted a pattern in Carrick’s management style.

Carrick took the reins at Old Trafford in January, replacing Ruben Amorim, and has overseen a marked improvement in form, particularly from Šeško. The 22-year-old Slovenian international has scored five goals in Carrick’s first nine matches, a significant upturn in output since joining the club. This improved performance isn’t an isolated case, Richards argues, but rather a consistent theme across the United squad.

“Yeah, but he simplified the game for them,” Richards said on The Rest Is Football podcast, referencing Carrick’s impact on Šeško, as well as players like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, and Amad Diallo. “He’s got better players now, obviously, the way he’s using Sesko, bringing him on, Cunha, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Diallo, like, they’re all playing a good part now.”

The observation suggests that Amorim’s tactics may have been overly complex or ill-suited to the strengths of the United players. Richards’ point, echoed by Gary Lineker, is that Carrick has successfully implemented a more straightforward approach, allowing players to operate in positions and roles that maximize their abilities. This shift has been particularly noticeable with Šeško, who has flourished with a more direct and less constrained role within the attack.

Šeško’s impact was evident in United’s recent 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. Brought on as a substitute in the 77th minute, he found the back of the net just five minutes later, adding a crucial goal to secure the win. This performance underscores Carrick’s ability to effectively utilize his entire squad and extract maximum value from each player.

Carrick’s decision to initially leave Šeško on the bench against Villa demonstrates a willingness to rotate his squad and manage player fatigue, whereas still maintaining a potent attacking threat. Mbeumo started the match leading the line, but Šeško’s introduction proved decisive, highlighting the depth and versatility within the United attack.

The change in fortunes for Šeško is particularly noteworthy given his initial struggles to consistently break into the starting XI. His current tally of 10 goals and one assist in 27 appearances across all competitions represents a strong return for a player in his debut season with the club. Carrick’s influence has clearly been instrumental in unlocking Šeško’s potential.

Lineker expanded on Richards’ assessment, stating, “Well, because they’re playing in their rightful positions. That’s the thing.” This reinforces the idea that Amorim’s previous tactical setup may have been misaligning players, hindering their ability to perform at their best. Carrick’s simplification, isn’t about dumbing down the game, but rather about optimizing player placement and tactical roles.

Richards further elaborated on the frustrations surrounding Amorim’s tenure, stating, “And that’s the thing: the frustrating thing with Amorim… You haven’t got the players to play your way, but you continue to play that way. And then when you go back to a 4-2-3-1, you receive a result. And then you revert back to going back to three. I just… I didn’t understand it.” This suggests a rigidity in Amorim’s approach that prevented him from adapting to the available personnel and achieving consistent results.

With eight Premier League matches remaining in the 2025-26 campaign, Carrick has an opportunity to solidify his position as United’s manager and build a foundation for future success. The positive impact he’s had on players like Šeško, coupled with the team’s improved form, suggests that he is on the right track. The simplified approach, focusing on player strengths and optimal positioning, appears to be a key ingredient in United’s recent revival.