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It's been quite the start to life as Manchester United manager for Michael Carrick. The Red Devils boss silenced any doubters straight away by beating title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal in back-to-back matches, before securing wins against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. Hopes of what seemed like an impossible five-in-a-row winning streak just months ago were dashed by a draw against West Ham United, but it's still a start to be proud of for Carrick.

So much so, the ex-Middlesbrough boss has catapulted himself into the conversation for getting the job on a full-time basis, having only been hired as an interim until the end of the season. He's brought a sense of calmness to what was a chaotic Old Trafford during Ruben Amorim's spell, with a feeling that United are in sensible hands until the end of the season at least.

It should come as no surprise, given the level-headed response Carrick gave after being offered the job. Recalling the exact moment in an interview with the BBC, he said: "Yeah it was a nice thing to hear. Of course it was, you know, but I was quite calm about it actually. I don't know why. I just, um. Yeah, it just felt right... It just felt quite normal.

"It wasn't the case of I come off the phone and shouting and screaming and celebrated on the motorway or anything... I just called my wife and said, you know, this is what's happening. This is where we're at."

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One of Carrick's most-praised moves since taking charge has been reintergrating Kobbie Mainoo into the fold, with the midfielder having been frozen out by Amorim. Carrick alluded to the importance of United's Academy system, saying: "It's a huge sense of pride on behalf of the whole football club, I think it's really outstanding for such a long period of time to have that. And it's something we need to hold on to. You know, it's what this football club has built upon really, and has been for, for so many decades."

United return to action this weekend, looking to make it six games unbeaten when they face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday. It's United's first visit to the Toffees' new stadium following their move from Goodison Park.

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