After a long time, it seems Manchester United is back on track under Erik ten Hag. After the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer on November 2021, the club chose to hire an interim boss so that they have enough time to consider their actions. It might have been a controversial decision at that time but the impact of Ten Hag had in just a few months vindicated the decision of United already to wait for the Dutchman.
In the beginning, Manchester United turned to the support staff of Solskjaer after he left; Michael Carrick had been given the task to handle the team while Manchester United pursued Ralf Rangnick. He had been given the task to take charge until the campaign of 2021-2022 rather than Carrick who had won had won their heart with a short three-game spell.
But Ragnick was unable to grab the club’s slide and saw a disastrous second half of the season. His reputation has taken a hit, while Carrick has improved his since he left Manchester United.
Middlesbrough had been pushed to 22nd position and only 3 points off the bottom of the score table after Carrick had been defeated by Preston in the first match. Boro has obtained 10 wins in 13 league games since then and has moved to promotion contention.
Sheffield United and Burnley has looked a league apart every season but since the arrival of Carrick at the end of October, Middlesborough has emerged as the best among the rest in the second tier. Also, they have played it in style.