Michael Carrick defends Manchester United job after perfect start

Voices, and there were many, that warned against United repeating what happened in 2018-19, had their case undermined before their eyes.

Seven seasons ago, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as caretaker, won eight successive games, then six of the next nine, ending with a stunning Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain, when United came from a two-goal deficit in the first leg away from home, and secured the job.

Solskjaer will lead United to the Europa League final in 2021, but the early promise has not been fulfilled.

The results have an annoying way of overriding common-sense opinions – not that Carrick shows any sign of drifting.

When he talks about “riding” the current situation, he means his players and the emotion they felt after the wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.

He allowed himself to rebound on the touchline as Cunha’s 87th-minute shot headed into the far corner of David Raya’s goal.

But who can blame him? Three minutes earlier, they had conceded an equalizer in a game they looked to have within their grasp.

“You have to ride it and use passion, energy and confidence,” he said afterwards. “But you also have to be humble and realize how we achieved these two results.

“We can’t look too far ahead. We wouldn’t anyway, but looking too far ahead could hurt you.”

The Sky Sports interviewer tried to persuade Carrick by saying he wanted the job. This was not a discussion he wanted to participate in.

“I’m here to do a job,” he said. “When I came here less than two weeks ago, I said we would make every decision for the bigger picture.

“We’re not exaggerating. It’s two big results, but we’ll keep our feet on the ground.

“I enjoy it and I will continue to do everything I can.”