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Bruno Fernandes has suggested that the freedom Michael Carrick has granted his Manchester United players is enhancing their displays on the pitch. Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim in a caretaker capacity following the Portuguese manager's dismissal in January.

Amorim was believed to have controlled his players at Old Trafford with rigid rules. The 41-year-old even prohibited food from the dressing room after stressing the necessity to raise fitness levels.

United's new boss is thought to have scrapped that approach by transforming the club's changing room into a more collective environment where players can openly express themselves. The confidence he has demonstrated in his squadis delivering results, with United now strongly positioned in the battle for Champions League qualification.

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Carrick also held the caretaker manager position between November and December 2021, after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's exit.

Fernandes spoke about how the former England international has developed his initial tenure in charge, indicating the players now feel they're being respected like adults, in contrast to Amorim's excessive control of their everyday schedules.

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"This is football, football changes from one game to the other," Fernandes told TNT Sports following United's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in February.

"I think Michael [Carrick] came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility, but also some freedom to take the responsibility on the pitch during the decisions that are needed.

"He's very good with words and I think he still remembers when I told him last time he was our manager, for our last game, and I was sure Michael could be a great manager and now he is showing it."

Amorim suffered a dismal 14-month period at United, securing just 24 victories from his 63 matches in charge across all competitions. He also suffered defeat in last season's Europa League final against Spurs.

The ex-Sporting CP boss's average of 1.23 points per match represents the poorest record of any United manager since the Premier League's inception. Under Carrick, the turnaround has been evident, with Fernandes flourishing.

Amorim also allegedly dispatched players home immediately following fixtures, typically without offering any parting words. This approach allowed emotions to settle before making impulsive decisions, instead conveying his thoughts to players the next day.

Carrick has allegedly established a fresh philosophy whereby players must remain in the dressing room until they feel they have been addressed and listened to.

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United's Portuguese skipper reckons Carrick's experience of representing the club, between 2006 and 2018, has enabled him to grasp what's required to turn out for one of the biggest teams on the planet.

"We hope we can help him even more so everyone can see, not just us as the players, that we are good players and that is why we are at Manchester United, but also the staff is very good," Fernandes added.

"This is a massive club and everyone knows the expectations around it. I don't think that changes but of course Michael has won everything here and he knows what it means to these fans and for the club to win. So much is needed to win in this football club and I think that is something special for this team."

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