Michael Carrick must shake off tactical rigidity to taste success with Manchester United

Former England midfielder needs to avoid the same pitfalls as Ruben Amorim, but he showed a dogmatic streak at Boro.

CARRICK'S AT THE WHEEL: Michael Carrick arriving at the Trafford Training Centre, Carrington on Tuesday. Pic: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.

In many ways Michael Carrick is the antithesis of Ruben Amorim but Manchester United’s incoming interim head coach does have something significant in common with his Portuguese predecessor.

Like Amorim, Carrick has proved remarkably resistant to tactical change. So much so that at Middlesbrough the former United and England midfielder’s determination not to compromise a philosophy constructed around a patient, possession-heavy passing game arguably cost him his job.