Manchester United's current interim manager, Michael Carrick, has been compared to former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who also took over the reins in a similar situation. The comparison is not entirely unfair, as both managers have had to steady the ship after turbulent periods under their predecessors. However, there are some key differences between the two situations that are often overlooked.
One of the main differences is the context in which each manager took over. Solskjaer inherited a toxic environment left behind by Jose Mourinho, who had a public spat with Paul Pogba and was seen to have lost the dressing room. Carrick, on the other hand, took over a team that had just finished a 24-day break between games, which had a positive impact on the team's performance.
Another key difference is the players available to each manager. Solskjaer had a squad that included Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Juan Mata, Fred, and Scott McTominay. Carrick, on the other hand, has had to work with a squad that includes Noussair Mazraoui, Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Sesko, and Joshua Zirkzee.
In terms of results, Solskjaer has the edge on Carrick, having picked up 32 points from a possible 39 in his first 13 games. However, Carrick's side has played against seven teams that start the weekend in 10th or above, while Solskjaer's biggest result was a 1-0 away win at Tottenham, who finished the season in fourth.
One thing that immediately stands out is the style of play. Solskjaer's teams often relied on moments from star players, rather than any discernible style of play beyond counter-attacking football. Carrick, on the other hand, has had to adapt his style to fit the players available to him, with his best games coming in games when the opposition are expected to have more possession.
In conclusion, while there are some similarities between Carrick and Solskjaer's situations, there are also some key differences that are often overlooked. Carrick has had to work with a squad that is not as strong as Solskjaer's, and has had to adapt his style of play to fit the players available to him. Ultimately, the decision of whether Carrick is the right man for the job should be based on his ability to lead the team to success, rather than on comparisons to his predecessor.
