Michael Carrick is making his mark at Old Trafford, and it’s not just through tactical tweaks. The interim boss has officially scrapped a controversial “holiday ban” implemented by Ruben Amorim, allowing his squad a much-needed mental reset during their 13-day hiatus.
Under Amorim’s previous regime, players were reportedly restricted from traveling abroad even during breaks in the fixture list. However, following United’s early FA Cup exit and a grueling run of matches, Carrick has adopted a more “forgiving” approach to player downtime.
Captain and Keeper Take Advantage
With no fixture until the Premier League clash against Everton on February 23, two United stars were quick to use their new freedom to reconnect with their roots:
- Senne Lammens (Belgium): The £18.2m summer signing returned to Royal Antwerp. Despite being spotted in the snow and sharing a moment with his former club, it wasn’t a happy hunting ground; Antwerp suffered a 2-0 defeat to Westerlo, leaving them 11th in the table.
- Bruno Fernandes (Portugal): The captain traveled nearly 2,000km to watch Pacos de Ferreira. Fernandes was there to support childhood friend Francisco Ramos, a gesture that Ramos described as “always special” for Portuguese football.
A Shift in Culture
The decision to overturn Amorim’s strict rule suggests Carrick is prioritizing player morale as much as on-pitch results. After securing four wins in his first five games, the interim manager seems to trust his senior figures to manage their recovery professionally.
United’s next challenge at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Everton will be the ultimate test of this “relaxed” approach. If the Reds return with the same intensity seen in their recent wins over City and Arsenal, Carrick’s man-management will be hailed as a masterstroke in contrast to the rigid discipline of his predecessor.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
