LONDON — It’s four Premier League wins in a row for Manchester United under Michael Carrick and a season that was unraveling just weeks ago now looks full of promise. Arsenal extended its lead at the top to nine points with Viktor Gyokeres coming off the bench to score two goals in a 3-0 win against Sunderland.
Cole Palmer scored a first-half hat trick in Chelsea´s 3-1 win at last-place Wolves. A 2-0 victory for United against Tottenham extended Carrick’s 100 per cent start as head coach and will further strengthen his case to be given the job on a long-term basis.
“Michael has won everything here and he knows what it means for these fans, what it means for the club to win and how much is needed to win at this football club. I think that adds something special to the team,” United captain Bruno Fernandes said according to AP.
It is the first time in two years that United has won four straight Premier League games and victory against Tottenham boosted hopes of a return to the lucrative Champions League after missing out for the last two years.
Bryan Mbeumo and Fernandes scored in each half at Old Trafford in a game that saw Spurs reduced to 10 men after captain Cristian Romero was sent off in the 29th minute.
Manager Carrick has transformed United’s fortunes since he was parachuted in to replace the fired Ruben Amorim last month. Initially given a contract until the end of the season – having previously had a three-game interim spell in 2021 – his impressive impact will likely put him in serious contention to keep the job as the club’s hierarchy consider its long-term plans.
“I think Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility,” said Fernandes. “He’s very good with the words.
“I think he still remembers what I told him the last time he was our manager for our last game. I was sure that Michael could be a great manager, and he´s just showing it.”
United is fourth and after moving up to 44 points, the 20-time English champion has already exceeded last season’s total of 42 points for the entire campaign.
It has been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions, but Champions League qualification would represent a successful season.
Fernandes’ goal, with a controlled finish off his shin in the 81st, was his 200th goal involvement since joining United in 2020.
“He´s offered the club so much for the time he´s been here, since he walked in,” said Carrick. “He´s a team player. He gives so much to the group. He´s got big moments in him. We know the quality he has and he cares a lot about the team. I think that´s clear to see.”
Fernandes’ strike sealed victory after Mbeumo had given United the lead in the 38th when firing low from a corner to score his 10th goal of his debut season at the club.
While United’s captain was inspirational, Tottenham’s Romero did his team no favors with his sending off in the first half.
Having described as “disgraceful” the fact that Spurs were reduced to 11 fit players for the draw with Manchester City last weekend, Romero hardly helped his team´s cause with his red card for a dangerous tackle on Casemiro.
The league’s stats partner Opta said it was Romero’s sixth sending off since joining the club in 2021 – more than any other Premier League player in that time.
Arsenal´s title charge looks in good shape after sweeping aside Sunderland.
Gyokeres took his season´s tally to 13 goals and extended his streak to six in eight games. Even more impressive was the fact that his double arrived after coming on as a 60th-minute substitute at the Emirates.
Martin Zubimendi had opened the scoring in the first half.
