While there might have been plenty of raised eyebrows last month as Michael Carrick was announced as Ruben Amorim’s replacement, Manchester United have embarked on a mesmeric immediate rise under their returning temporary boss.
Securing a deserved 2-0 victory at home against Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime, the Red Devils have won all of their previous four consecutive Premier League showdowns and have skyrocketed themselves into the Champions League spots.
Collecting standout victories against historic rivals Arsenal and Man City on their remarkable purple patch, United’s sole focus is on booking a lucrative top-four return.
Enjoying what has been by far their most successful spell of the 2025/26 campaign, United’s influential skipper also finds his stock at a red-hot high and is spearheading Carrick’s Champions League charge.
Breaking plenty of eye-catching records and further cementing his spot as United’s ultimate poster boy in the red half of Manchester, Bruno Fernandes is also the Premier League’s most in-form superstar.
Fernandes’ record-breaking run inspires United’s resurge
Watching United embark on a remarkable resurge since Carrick’s shock return to thd Old Trafford dugout last month, their talismanic skipper has certainly been pivotal.
Once again finding the net during United’s 2-0 victory at home against Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime, Fernandes has only further underlined his status as a modern era icon around the red half of Manchester.
Clearly making the right decision after eventually rejecting a bank-breaking offer from Saudi Arabia last summer, the former Sporting Lisbon youngster has also broken plenty of personal records during United’s domestic purple patch.
The 31-year-old has now registered 18 direct goal contributions (six goals, 12 assists) in his 22 Premier League appearances this season.
At the heart of everything positive that United have produced since Carrick’s return last month, Fernandes has also recorded at least a goal or assist in eight of his last nine domestic appearances across all competitions.
In fact, Saturday’s strike against Spurs saw the Portuguese international become the second-fastest player in United’s history to reach 200 Premier League goal contributions.
Surpassing fellow United icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, only Wayne Rooney (295 games) can boast a quicker return.
Bruno Fernandes becomes the second-fastest Manchester United player to reach 200 PL goal involvements! 🔥📈 pic.twitter.com/CgmDi06FUs
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 7, 2026
Carrick’s sensational return to Old Trafford
Ending Amorim’s nightmare 14-month spell at Old Trafford last month, United found themselves at the centre of another public crisis and the scrutiny they were under had certainly reached a boiling point.
Although plenty across the footballing globe might have been stunned by Carrick’s unveiling, the former Middlesbrough boss couldn’t have dreamt of a better start to his second tenure in the Old Trafford dugout.
Getting his United return underway with a famous 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby on January 17th, Carrick has unleashed the shackles and has given hope to a fanbase that was desperately searching for some kind of positivity.
While Fernandes might have stollen plenty of the headlines during United’s epic four-game winning run, Carrick’s decision to reinstall Kobbie Mainoo has also been a huge factor in their pursuit for Champions League football.
Watching the England international relish his return at the heart of United’s midfield, it has also been suggested that Thomas Tuchel could be planning to hand Mainoo a ticket for this summer’s World Cup over North America.
Suddenly sat within touching distance of bronze medal position, Carrick’s high-flying squad will be next seen on Tuesday night when they travel to relegation scrappers West Ham.
WWWW.
On a strong run of form 👏 pic.twitter.com/Nf0NxRESqv
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 7, 2026