Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has identified what he believes is the biggest difference between former manager Ruben Amorim and current head coach Michael Carrick.
Amorim was sacked from the Man United managerial position in January after struggling to produce results during his 14-month tenure.
Despite poor performances, INEOS continued to back him, but felt the need to make a change after Amorim targeted senior figures at the club during a press conference.
Carrick was then appointed on an interim basis until the conclusion of the campaign.
United flourished under the former midfielder and secured an impressive third-place finish in the Premier League.
The improvement was so convincing that INEOS rewarded Carrick and his coaching staff with a new two-year contract.
Ferdinand believes Carrick is far more adaptable in his approach as a manager than the Portuguese coach.
He said (via The Athletic): “I think the best managers are adaptable.
“I always use Pep as a great example. He came to England, his first year didn’t win anything. Realised he’d never heard about ‘second balls’ and adapted.
“So if the best in the game can be adaptable, everyone has to be adaptable. I think that was the problem with the last regime (Amorim) and I think Michael comes from that school of being adaptive in situations.
“He can play when we dominate possession, he’s also trying to be a team that can play off the back foot, and be a team that can defend a bit deeper maybe at times or for a mid-block.
“But the main thing is always to have an element of being dangerous to hurt your opponents at any time. That’s the team we played in. We weren’t the team that dominated every game.”
Amorim’s stubbornness ultimately proved costly
Amorim arrived at United determined to implement the 3-4-2-1 system that had brought him huge success with Sporting CP.
He wanted United to adopt that philosophy without considering that the squad simply did not possess the right profiles to execute the system effectively.
The squad lacked natural wing-backs and dynamic midfield runners.
Bringing in a new ideology is not wrong. Refusing to adjust when that philosophy is repeatedly failing is where serious problems emerge.
United were far better suited to a traditional back-four system. Carrick quickly recognised that reality and made a series of subtle but hugely effective tactical adjustments.
The 44-year-old primarily utilised flexible 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 formations throughout the second half of the season.
When chasing matches, United frequently transformed into a far more aggressive 4-2-4 shape.
More importantly, Carrick restored players to their most effective positions.
Bruno Fernandes was once again unleashed closer to goal instead of being deployed deeper in midfield.
Kobbie Mainoo was reintegrated into the starting XI after spending long periods overlooked under the previous regime.
The biggest lesson from Amorim’s spell may be the importance of remaining flexible.
Football constantly evolves and successful managers evolve alongside it. If Carrick can continue delivering results while playing proactive and entertaining football, he will keep the Old Trafford faithful firmly on his side.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
