Progress, When Once, There Was None

No need to sit on the fence anymore. If you happen to be supporting Micheal Carrick for the manager position I think you can do so on the premise that we’re nearly where we want to be. I have to hold my hands up and say I was wrong about selling Bruno Fernandes. Where would we be without him? That’s not to say we shouldn’t be looking to the future because he’s at the moment a significant piece of the puzzle in the way we play. Nobody can do what he can do in the team.

Sesko is also growing in confidence. Our super-sub. He’s still young and in that sense he’s progressing well no matter how he contributes or how he goes about it. Seeing us build back that momentum after the setback of the previous game. That shows character. Are we playing the most amazing football now? No, but we’re getting the results. I think if you give Micheal Carrick the opportunity next season based on a results driven business and you fully support him with the players he needs. You can build on where we are right now and where we’re potentially going to be next season.

Of course. You have to make these sorts of decisions on principle of merit, but also, what we’re seeing is the players responding even when there is a setback and when that reflects on the pitch. Ultimately, that’s 70% of what a manager is. The rest is how the club supports the manager and how the players endeavor to show their character on the pitch in a way that reflects the traditions of the club.

I went in early about Micheal Carrick being the manager. It wasn’t an easy decision but he’s bringing more faith to the management position than the whole of the last year and a half with no progress. It certainly feels like we’re moving forward.

Although football can be very fickle at times and there is every opportunity for things to change based on results. I am feeling a sense of ‘support’ from the Manchester United fan base that wants to see ‘one of our own’ back in the dugout with the full backing behind him. If that means a rolling contract, so be it.

The season’s not over yet. There’s a lot of football left to be played but if we can carry on with our momentum there is no doubt that the fans are starting to believe. When that happens at our club that’s when the old faithful start to believe and when that happens you start to restore some of the trust that was missing in previous years. Focusing on being a difficult team to play against while getting results, while also, bringing flashes of the United Way back into the picture.

Although, it’s not perfect right now. Who can say it can’t be if we remain on course? Champions League football being back with us is such an important step forward. It’s not just going to help the club financially. It’s going to get us back at the front of the queue in terms of getting the first and second choice players that might elevate us to be competitive if we do finish in the top four. Which is now becoming increasingly more likely.