Coach Michael Carrick and the Man Utd first team coaching staff directly attended Leigh Sports Village on the evening of 21/1 to watch the U21 team play Sporting Lisbon in the Premier League International Cup. The match ended in a 3-2 victory for Man Utd, with 19-year-old midfielder James Scanlon scoring a hat-trick.

Carrick was accompanied by assistants Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, and Jonny Evans. Football director Jason Wilcox, head of player development Travis Binnion, and U18 coach Darren Fletcher were also present. This marked the first time this season that the full Man Utd first team coaching staff attended a youth team match outside the Carrington training center.

Carrington serves as Man Utd's main base, where the first team trains and the youth teams occasionally play. Leigh Sports Village, conversely, is the home ground for Man Utd's youth teams, located more than 30 minutes' drive from Carrington.

Coach Michael Carrick (third from left), assistant Jonathan Woodgate (left), and Steve Holland (right) watch the Man Utd U21 match against Sporting Lisbon at Leigh Sports Village, Wigan, United Kingdom, on the evening of 21/1. Photo: ManUtd

In contrast, during his 14 months leading Man Utd, Amorim did not directly attend any youth team matches outside Carrington. The Portuguese coach only observed a few closed internal matches at Carrington, on a pitch located several hundred meters from the first team's training area. After these matches, he would quickly leave to debrief with his coaching staff.

Throughout his tenure, Amorim assigned several assistants to monitor some Man Utd youth team matches. Adelio Candido was sent to watch the U21 team play at Man City's ground in the Premier League 2 play-offs, and Emanuel Ferro observed a youth match at Old Trafford against Athletic Bilbao. Amorim was not present at these matches.

Carrick and his coaching staff's journey of more than 25 km to watch the U21 team highlights a notable shift. In Man Utd's recent history, some first team coaches have directly attended youth matches, setting a precedent for Carrick's actions.

In September 2022, Erik ten Hag appeared at Moss Lane in Altrincham to watch the U21 team play, just hours after returning from Chisinau, Moldova. Similarly, in 2018, during a period of pressure following Man Utd's worst start in 26 years, coach Jose Mourinho also attended an academy match at Old Trafford.

Under Amorim, several young players were called up to the first team. Shea Lacey, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Godwill Kukonki, and Chido Obi all played for the U21 team and were registered in the Man Utd first team squad. Amorim also gave many young players their first team debuts, including forward Obi, left-back Harry Amass, center-back Tyler Fredricson, midfielders Jack Fletcher, Lacey, and Bendito Mantato.

Despite promoting these talents, Amorim did not directly follow their academy-level matches outside Carrington. He even stated on multiple occasions that Man Utd's young players lacked the ability to consistently play for the first team.

Carrick has not yet confirmed whether he will continue in his current role after the season concludes. Nevertheless, his and the coaching staff's presence at the U21 match against Sporting Lisbon generated a positive atmosphere, signaling a renewed focus on youth development.

Scanlon, the midfielder who scored a hat-trick in the match, is a standout young player for Man Utd this season. The first team coach directly observing the match is a memorable milestone for the 19-year-old player, increasing his chances of making his first team debut in the near future.

Since returning to lead Man Utd, Carrick has shared his views on building the team. He emphasizes the importance of effort, humility, and fundamental values in top-tier football. Carrick believes that talent and professional ability must be accompanied by respecting teammates, treating everyone appropriately, and working together towards a common goal.

Carrick was appointed not as an "interim" coach. However, his contract is short-term, lasting until the end of this season. During this period, the club's management will search for a new coach, or potentially extend the 44-year-old coach's contract if he performs well for the remainder of the season.

Hoang An (according to Daily Mail)