New Manchester United manager Michael Carrick may look to scrap several non-negotiables put into place by Ruben Amorim
08:59, 20 Jan 2026Updated 09:00, 20 Jan 2026
Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick has implemented a new rule already(Image: Getty Images)
Michael Carrick could reverse three bans that predecessor Ruben Amorim implemented at Manchester United before his sacking. Old Trafford legend Carrick took over from caretaker manager Darren Fletcher last week, stepping in as United’s interim boss until the end of the season.
It came after Amorim was dismissed from his position as head coach 14 months into his tenure, having struggled to implement his tactical ideas effectively and seemingly fallen out with United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, over transfers.
Carrick in his first game in charge led the Red Devils to a dominant 2-0 win over Manchester City, with the performance reminiscent of the teams he played in under Sir Alex Ferguson. United appeared a completely different side after just three days of training under their new boss, notably defending with intensity and using wing-play to devastating effect.
That may be thanks to a new rule Carrick quickly introduced after taking the reins. According to the Daily Mail, the 44-year-old has made training sessions at Carrington shorter but more intense in an effort to improve results this season.
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The response from the players is said to have been positive and it was ‘immediately clear’ from the first session that there was a different energy on the pitch. The squad were also introduced to the new coaching team, made up of Steve Holland – who arrived as Carrick’s No.2 – along with Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans as first‑team coaches.
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There is said to be a strong blend of skill sets and personalities within the staff, and a ‘positive dynamic’ already appears to be forming. Training has also placed greater emphasis on individual work with specific players and the squad are thought to be impressed by the level of detail involved.
It is unknown whether Carrick has scrapped the three bans previously implemented by Amorim when the Portuguese took charge or whether he has stuck with them. One of Amorim’s non-negotiables at United was the banning of players using international breaks as holiday opportunities, with Marcus Rashford and Casemiro notably drawing criticism for travelling across the Atlantic when they had only been given a few days off training to rest.
Speaking about the incident, Amorim said: “Would I set a different structure? Yes, for sure. But we cannot put this on the players. They told them they have five days off so they can fly anywhere. Because nobody in the club says you cannot fly. So we cannot, this time, put that on Rash or Case.
Ruben Amorim’s non-negotiables didn’t bring success(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
“We as a club have to set the standards and manage that. It’s my decision if they can have five days, or three days, or three days to rest and you cannot fly. This is something that us as a club have to decide. So this must be started in the club, with us and me being responsible in that area.”
Amorim also banned food in the dressing room on matchdays, emphasising the need to improve his squad’s physical fitness. Amorim admitted very early on it was “impossible” to win the Premier League with a team that doesn’t run.
“You can do a starting line-up with the best players on the planet, without running they also won’t win,” he said. “We have to run like mad dogs, if not we won’t win.”
Manchester United looked rejuvenated in Carrick’s first game in charge(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The third rule he implemented was directed at his coaches, banning them from giving out complicated instructions to his players. The former Sporting CP boss believed that if he couldn’t explain a particular idea in a single sentence, it shouldn’t be communicated until it’s simplified.
It was claimed that the approach initially went down well with the players, given the ‘clarity’ of his instructions. But that did not appear to help in practice as his players struggled to adapt to his 3-4-3 formation even after a year in charge.
It seems the players have had no such issue with taking Carrick’s instructions on board, however, given their impressive display in the Manchester Derby. They will face an even tougher test with a trip to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, where they will face league leaders Arsenal.
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