{"id":301521,"date":"2026-01-24T15:29:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T15:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/301521\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T15:29:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T15:29:10","slug":"five-strict-rules-man-utd-stars-had-to-stick-to-as-michael-carrick-stamps-his-authority","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/301521\/","title":{"rendered":"Five strict rules Man Utd stars had to stick to as Michael Carrick stamps his authority"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Michael Carrick has made a big change at Manchester United since taking over from Ruben Amorim<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1_GettyImages-2256099358.jpg\" alt=\"Manchester United Head Coach\/Manager Michael Carrick\" loading=\"eager\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Michael Carrick's second spell as United boss got off to a fantastic start\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Michael Carrick&#8217;s second spell as United boss got off to a fantastic start(Image: Photo by Ash Donelon\/Manchester United via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Manchester United are entering a new chapter, and following <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/match-reports\/man-utd-city-goals-highlights-36568084\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">last weekend&#8217;s derby triumph<\/a> over <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-city-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Manchester City<\/a>, Michael Carrick&#8217;s team take on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/premier-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Premier League<\/a> pacesetters <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/arsenal-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Arsenal<\/a> this Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">United sit fifth in the table, with Carrick aiming to steer his side into the top four this weekend. Should <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Liverpool<\/a> fail to win and United claim victory, they&#8217;ll climb above their rivals into fourth spot. Given that<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/man-united-ratings-vs-city-36568782\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"> impressive showing against City<\/a> and Liverpool&#8217;s patchy run, it&#8217;s a realistic prospect.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Carrick, who is charged with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/harry-maguire-man-utd-carrick-36594617\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">overseeing United until a permanent successor is appointed,<\/a> is at the helm and has already implemented a significant shift at the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The former Middlesbrough boss has shortened training sessions whilst increasing their intensity, in a bid to enhance match preparation, according to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/sport\/football\/article-15475537\/Inside-Michael-Carricks-derby-masterclass-Cutting-Man-United-training-sessions-delaying-arrival-team-bus-needed-TLC-star-frozen-Ruben-Amorim.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Daily Mail.Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Daily Mail.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE!<\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MirrorFootballManUnited#\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">** Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page**<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The squad have reportedly reacted positively to these modifications, and there&#8217;s a refreshed mood around the club. Carrick&#8217;s assistant Steve Holland has come on board alongside Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans as they seek to revitalise the team&#8217;s performances, with players seemingly appreciative of the meticulous approach demonstrated by the coaching staff.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/man-city-arsenal-guardiola-arteta-36607502\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36607502\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pep Guardiola pays Mikel Arteta the ultimate compliment with huge Arsenal claim<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/victoria-beckham-confession-david-brooklyn-36607084\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36607084\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Victoria Beckham&#8217;s confession in letter about David is heartbreaking amid Brooklyn fallout<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Previous manager Ruben Amorim prohibited three practices during his tenure at the club: using international breaks as holidays, consuming food in the dressing room on matchdays, and coaches over-complicating instructions to players.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It remains uncertain whether Carrick has maintained these prohibitions, and while Amorim had good intentions with them, his strategy ultimately failed, and the squad never adjusted to his 3-4-3 formation.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2_GettyImages-2202685321.jpg\" alt=\"Michael Carrick, Caretaker Manager of Man United\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"There were five strict rules at United before Carrick\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">There were five strict rules at United before Carrick(Image: Photo by Molly Darlington\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former United manager Erik ten Hag also implemented his own rigid set of regulations during his time at the club. The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Mirror<\/a> disclosed in 2022 that the Dutchman was uncompromising in his player management approach.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The first involved substantial penalties for players caught leaking dressing room details, a persistent issue for managers since Sir Alex Ferguson&#8217;s departure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Secondly, players faced being dropped if they arrived late to training sessions or team meetings, irrespective of their status or standing, as <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/marcus-rashford\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Marcus Rashford<\/a> discovered.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_GettyImages-2256259066.jpg\" alt=\"Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Carrick is caretaker manager at United\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Carrick is caretaker manager at United(Image: Photo by Ash Donelon\/Manchester United via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ten Hag also prohibited alcohol during match weeks to ensure optimal physical fitness. He reportedly wanted identical chefs preparing meals for United&#8217;s squad, rather than allowing them to use their own private catering teams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Finally, Ten Hag transformed the menu to incorporate more fish and vegetables. Every player received a personalised dietary programme and had their Body Mass Index monitored monthly to ensure they maintained proper condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ten Hag was dismissed in October 2024 after a disappointing start to the campaign. He subsequently joined Bayer Leverkusen but was axed after just two league matches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Michael Carrick has made a big change at Manchester United since taking over from Ruben Amorim Michael Carrick&#8217;s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":301522,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[141950,18,19,17,9033,47746,795,132],"class_list":{"0":"post-301521","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-alex-ferguson","9":"tag-eire","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-ireland","12":"tag-manchester-united-fc","13":"tag-michael-carrick","14":"tag-premier-league","15":"tag-sports"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115950791233755571","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/301521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=301521"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/301521\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/301522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=301521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=301521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=301521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}