Manchester United’s resurgence under interim manager Michael Carrick has been one of the standout storylines during the second half of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Eight wins and two draws in 12 games have fired the Red Devils up to third in the table. Barring a late-season collapse, Champions League qualification should be a foregone conclusion.
United’s push to return to UEFA’s top club competition has generated several intriguing subplots. Read on as we assess some of the milestones they can hit this season.
Fernandes cements his status as the club’s talisman
Former manager Ruben Amorim’s decision to play Bruno Fernandes in a deeper-lying midfield role was one of the most baffling moves of his ill-fated time in charge.
Sports bettors were left scratching their heads as Amorim deployed United’s most reliable source of goals and assists in areas where his impact was reduced.
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Playing the Portuguese playmaker further back could be likened to playing blackjack with a blindfold on – neither of them makes any sense.
Fernandes has inevitably flourished since Carrick restored him to his favoured position, and could feasibly end the season with at least 10 goals and 20 assists.
United’s supporting cast show their worth
While Fernandes is the headline act in United’s team, it would be foolish not to recognise the contributions made by several of his teammates.
Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha joined the club last summer and are each on course to score at least ten league goals this term.
That would represent a respectable return on United’s investment and provide each player with a solid foundation to build on for next season and beyond.
Casemiro could also hit double figures if he scores another couple of goals, which would be a remarkable feat considering he is in the veteran stage of his career.
An argument could be made that United should try to keep hold of the midfielder on a reduced salary, but that is unlikely to happen.
Doubles at the double?
It is worth noting that United have not been perfect under Carrick. A first home defeat against Leeds United since 1981 highlighted that point to perfection.
However, the former United midfielder appears to have improved the squad’s collective mindset. The 1-0 victory at Chelsea on Saturday cemented that notion.
The Red Devils were missing four centre-backs for the trip to Stamford Bridge, but dug deep to complete the double over the Blues.
Carrick’s side could repeat the trick when they welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford on May 3.
Completing doubles over Chelsea and Liverpool in the same season would undoubtedly be a statement of intent by United.
United set to top the ‘Big Six’ standings
United have the best record in meetings between the so-called ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League this season.
The Red Devils have recorded victories over Chelsea (twice), Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. They also drew with Tottenham.
Their record is in stark contrast to last season, when they won just one of ten matches against those opponents.
A victory over Liverpool in early May would be the perfect way to round off their fixtures against ‘Big Six’ teams this term.
United have demonstrated they can mix it with their main rivals – the challenge now is to produce those performance levels throughout the season.
