Not just Mainoo: Four biggest winners from Carrick’s arrival, including £52m “beast” and a troublemaker Amorim hated

Manchester United are set to announce Michael Carrick as caretaker manager until the end of the season after the shock decision to sack Ruben Amorim last week. Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher took charge of the senior side in Amorim’s absence, leading United to a draw with Burnley in the Premier League and a defeat in the FA Cup third round against Brighton & Hove Albion. There were even suggestions the Scot was under consideration to take the role permanently, but these unimpressive results ruled him out of the running. Initially, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the frontrunner for the role, with sporting director Jason Wilcox preferring the Norwegian to Carrick. However, a “strong interview” from the 44-year-old coach, who previously managed Middlesbrough for nearly three years, led United’s hierarchy to pivot towards him. Sir Alex Ferguson is even understood to have given his approval to Carrick taking the helm at Old Trafford over Solskjaer. The former midfielder will be officially announced tomorrow, with the small matter of the Manchester Derby this weekend to contend with as his first hurdle in the job. Carrick is expected to implement a fluid 4-2-3-1 system, a shift away from the 3-4-2-1 his predecessor was inexorably wed to and the sword upon which he ultimately fell. However, the transition of powers goes far beyond the formation on the pitch. The dismissal of the Portuguese coach wipes the slate clean for a host of players, both inside and outside of Old Trafford. It also brings jeopardy to some who were closely allied with him, with their role in the team – and their future at the club – now under serious doubt. The Peoples Person has analysed the workforce, including those on temporary leave, at United to assess which employees are the biggest winners and, conversely, the biggest losers from the boss’s sacking. Let’s dive in – starting with those who will have been celebrating the P45 notice last week. The Winners Kobbie Mainoo Mainoo will be the biggest beneficiary of Amorim’s departure, as it would have been the midfielder leaving Old Trafford if the coach had remained. He was a poor fit in the 3-4-2-1 system, lacking the physicality to play in midfield and the attacking threat to be a forward. A shift to a three-man midfield, be it a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, should see the 20-year-old technician re-establish himself as the future of the football club. Leny Yoro Yoro is another youngster set to benefit from Amorim’s dismissal, but the 20-year-old defender did not fall foul of his head coach in the way Mainoo did; rather, the French starlet was rated by Amorim but simply struggled to adapt to the demands his system placed on the outside centre-backs. Yoro established himself as the best defensive prospect in a back four with LOSC Lille. For the first time since arriving at Old Trafford, he will get the chance to play in this familiar setting under Carrick. Bruno Fernandes Despite Fernandes being Amorim’s right-hand man, the Portuguese talisman will be unleashed in Carrick’s system, as he will return to his rightful No. 10 role. The 31-year-old has spent this season deployed deeper in a midfield pivot, playing closer to his own goal than the opposition’s, yet still has the most assists in the Premier League. Just imagine how many he’ll have if played further forward. Marcus Rashford Perhaps the most contentious choice on the list, but Rashford’s path to an unlikely Old Trafford return is much clearer without a Portuguese obstacle in his way. The 28-year-old forward has been red hot since joining Barcelona on loan. And while the Spanish giants want to keep him in Catalonia, their financial situation makes a permanent deal difficult. United are expected to look for a dynamic left winger this summer; Amorim’s dismissal means they already have one on their books. The Losers Casemiro Casemiro had fought his way back into the fold at Old Trafford under Amorim, despite the “football having left him” in a horrifying campaign before the Portuguese tactician arrived. It had appeared a foregone conclusion that the 33-year-old Brazilian, who turns 34 next month, would leave United this summer, as his exorbitant contract is set to expire. But there was talk of a renewal, on reduced wages, given how important Amorim considered the defensive midfielder—which is why he is the biggest loser from Amorim’s exit, because he will now be following his head coach through the door. Diogo Dalot Jack of all trades, master of none. Never has a statement applied more aptly to a footballer than Diogo Dalot, who is capable of playing as a full-back, wing-back, or winger, on both sides of the pitch, with equal ineffectiveness. There is a strong sense Dalot’s standing in the United dressing room – he is part of the leadership group – had more to do with him sharing his head coach’s mother tongue than anything he could do with a ball at his feet. When Noussair Mazraoui is back from the Africa Cup of Nations, Dalot should resume his rightful place on the bench. Mason Mount Mount had found a home at Old Trafford under Amorim, after 15 months spent looking like a nomad after arriving from Chelsea. The 3-4-2-1 system was one the English midfielder had thrived in previously, and his best performances in a red shirt were delivered in it. Mount remains a great squad player, with excellent versatility, but a return to a 4-2-3-1 with flying wingers puts him in direct competition with Fernandes – a fight with only one winner, meaning there has to be a loser. Bruno Fernandes Wait, what? Wasn’t Bruno one of the biggest winners? Let me explain. Fernandes’ best position is as an attacking midfielder with the freedom to drift where he wants, as he will under Carrick. But the biggest proponent for United’s captain remaining United’s captain – given how close he came to leaving last summer amid eye-watering offers from Saudi Arabia – was Amorim. INEOS were, inexplicably, ambivalent whether Fernandes stayed or went – and if another bid arrives from the Middle East this summer, they will not have a fiery Portuguese coach demanding it is rejected. The most unfortunate part of Amorim’s exit is it increases the probability his compatriot on the pitch will also leave – and this would make the United fanbase the real losers. Final Thoughts There are strong arguments for even more players being affected, positively or negatively, by INEOS’s decision to bring an end to Amorim’s tumultuous tenure. Matheus Cunha is one, while the pair of right wingers – Amad and Bryan Mbeumo – are likely to now play in a system with only one right winger. But, undoubtedly, the biggest loser in the debacle which has engulfed Old Trafford over the past week is Sir Jim Ratcliffe. INEOS have been nothing short of a disaster since the British billionaire became United’s co-owner in 2024, with a long list of inexplicable decisions, on and off the pitch, that have worsened the state of the club, not improved it. A fish rots from the head – and a foul stench is emanating from the Theatre of Dreams at the moment. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.