Michael Carrick’s next task at Manchester United is to try and make it five successive wins when they face West Ham.
Last time out, Manchester United beat Tottenham 2-0 to continue their winning streak and consolidate the push for Champions League qualification.
For the first time since taking charge as interim head coach, Carrick has a short turnaround, as he will face another of his former teams in the shape of West Ham on Tuesday evening.
United’s record at the London Stadium makes for bleak reading, but United will arrive full of confidence.
Are you confident Man Utd will win vs West Ham and end the losing streak at the London Stadium?
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In the reverse fixture, United drew 1-1 with West Ham at Old Trafford and Michael Carrick can learn a thing or two from the performance at Old Trafford.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesMichael Carrick can learn from Ruben Amorim mistake
Plenty has changed at United since their last clash against the Hammers back in December, including who is in the managerial hot seat.
It was Ruben Amorim who took charge at Old Trafford last time out, and he failed to beat a West Ham side in terrible form despite Diogo Dalot opening the scoring.
In his post-match press conference, Amorim admitted United lost control of the match against West Ham, which allowed the visitors a way back into the game.
What is your MESSAGE to Ruben Amorim after the 1-1 draw vs West Ham?
“We had good moments and we lost a little bit of control after the goal. We should have closed the game when we scored the first one.”
Ruben Amorim
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
“It was not constant,” Amorim said. “We had good moments and we lost a little bit of control after the goal. We should have closed the game when we scored the first one.
“The game was in control, we knew it. Any set pieces can be a problem. We couldn’t maintain the ball after the goal.”
When United travel to London on Tuesday night, Carrick will know that the Red Devils need to take control and keep it. If United open the scoring, it’s important to kill the game with a second as quick as possible.
Man United are getting killer instinct under Michael Carrick
Under Amorim, countless points were thrown away because United were dominating matches but not making it count.
The Red Devils often dominated matches and created plenty of opportunities, only to make a mistake at the back and throw it all away. That’s exactly how the reverse West Ham fixture played out.
But Carrick has instilled a strong mentality in the squad in a short amount of time. Against Arsenal and Fulham, United lost their lead late on but went on to find a winner in dramatic fashion.
Against Tottenham, United put on a professional performance and Bruno Fernandes eventually found the all-important second goal.
It’s been said too many times before, but this feels different. United fans are rightly confident ahead of the match, but the mentality and attitude approaching the game must be right.
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