It has been a wild few weeks to be a Red. If you haven't been keeping a close eye on the M16 postcode lately, you've missed a soap opera that would make a Netflix producer blush. We’ve seen a manager sacked, a club legend return to the dugout, and a derby win that basically blew the roof off the Stretford End.
Manchester United last 5 games tell a story of a season that was circling the drain before suddenly finding a spark. Ruben Amorim is out. Michael Carrick is back. And honestly? The football is finally starting to look like football again.
But don't let the 2-0 win over City fool you into thinking it's all sunshine and rainbows. The path to this point was messy. It was "pull your hair out" frustrating at times. Let's break down the reality of what’s been happening on the pitch and why the vibe shifted so fast.
The Form Guide: Chaos, Goals, and a New Era
To understand where United are right now, you have to look at the transition from the end of the Amorim era to the start of Carrick’s second stint. It hasn't been a straight line. It's been more of a zigzag.
1. Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City (Jan 17, 2026)
This was the statement. Michael Carrick's first game as the official head coach (again), and he absolutely nailed it. After a first half where United had two goals chalked off for offside—standard—they finally broke through. Bryan Mbeumo, fresh back from AFCON, looked like a man possessed. He smashed in the opener in the 65th minute. Then Patrick Dorgu sealed the deal at the back post.
City looked lost. Pep was fuming. United moved into the top five. It was the kind of performance that makes you wonder why they couldn't do this three weeks ago.
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2. Manchester United 1-2 Brighton (Jan 11, 2026 - FA Cup)
This was the low point of the recent run. An FA Cup exit at home is never a good look. Darren Fletcher was in the dugout as the "bridge" manager after Amorim left, but the team looked disjointed. Benjamin Sesko scored late, but it was a mere consolation. The biggest story here? Shea Lacey getting sent off. The kid has mountains of talent, but that red card was a "welcome to the big leagues" moment he’ll want to forget.
3. Burnley 2-2 Manchester United (Jan 7, 2026)
A cold night at Turf Moor. You know the script. United actually played some decent stuff here, with Sesko bagging a brace, but the defense was a shambles. Conceding twice to a Burnley side fighting for their lives felt like the final nail in the "old" United's coffin. It was a draw that felt like a loss.
4. Leeds United 1-1 Manchester United (Jan 4, 2026)
The atmosphere at Elland Road was, as usual, toxic. Matheus Cunha salvaged a point with a tidy finish in the 65th minute, but United were lucky to escape with anything. Leeds pressed them into oblivion. This game really highlighted the lack of a cohesive midfield structure—something Carrick seems to have addressed almost overnight.
5. Manchester United 1-1 Wolves (Dec 30, 2025)
The final game of 2025. A boring, slog of a match. Joshua Zirkzee scored, but United couldn't hold on. It was the peak of the "Amorim frustration." The system felt rigid, the players looked tired, and the fans were restless.
Why the Carrick Factor is Actually Real
People love to talk about "new manager bounce." It's a cliché for a reason. But with Carrick, it feels a bit different than just a temporary sugar hit. He’s ditched the tactical rigidity that seemed to hamstrung the squad under the previous regime and gone back to a 4-2-3-1 that actually suits the players.
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Basically, he’s stopped trying to reinvent the wheel.
By putting Mbeumo through the middle and letting Amad and Dorgu fly on the wings, he’s rediscovered the counter-attacking identity that defines this club. It’s not "Total Football," but it’s effective. The stats from the City game show a team that was comfortable without the ball because they knew exactly what to do when they won it back.
The Injury Room: Who's Left?
You can't talk about Manchester United last 5 games without mentioning the hospital ward. It’s been a revolving door.
- Matthijs de Ligt: Still out with that nagging back issue. Carrick says he's close, but we’ve heard that before.
- Harry Maguire: Finally made his first start since November against City and, honestly, he was solid. Hit the bar with a header, too.
- Noussair Mazraoui: He's been away with Morocco at AFCON. With them reaching the final, he's missed this whole run, but he should be back for the Arsenal game.
- Joshua Zirkzee: Missed the derby with a "knock," though the transfer rumors to Roma are swirling.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Run
The common narrative is that United are "back" because they beat City. Relax.
One win doesn't fix a decade of issues. If you look at the Burnley and Leeds games, the underlying problems are still there. The squad depth is thin. The reliance on Bruno Fernandes to create literally everything is still a massive risk. If Bruno has an off day, the whole engine room stalls.
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Also, let's talk about Casemiro. He’s had a bit of a renaissance in the last two games, but he’s 33. Expecting him to sprint around like it’s 2017 for the rest of the season is a recipe for disaster. Carrick needs to manage those legs carefully.
Moving Forward: The Action Plan
If you're betting on or just following the Reds, keep your eyes on the Arsenal game on January 25th. That is the real litmus test. Beating a shaky City is one thing; going to the Emirates and getting a result against the league leaders is another beast entirely.
Actionable Insights for the Fans:
- Watch the Full-Backs: With Mazraoui returning, see if Carrick sticks with Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot. The balance there is key to how they transition.
- Monitor the Zirkzee Situation: If he doesn't feature in the matchday squad soon, he’s as good as gone.
- The AFCON Factor: Mbeumo and Amad are the lifeblood of the attack right now. Their fitness after a grueling tournament is the most important thing for United’s top-four hopes.
The season isn't over. Not by a long shot. But for the first time in months, walking into Old Trafford doesn't feel like a chore. That, in itself, is a massive win.