Off the back of a flat West Ham draw and an even flatter first half, we take stock of Carrick’s United at the point where “new manager bounce” meets reality. There are clearer ideas and better control than before, but the soft goals, the lack of box presence, and the squad’s physical limits still show up the moment United have to break a team down.

We discuss selection calls, why Šeško changes the shape of games even when he’s not at his sharpest, and what the draw means for a Champions League race that suddenly feels very live. Plus: Everton away next, VAR’s never-ending identity crisis, and why Jim Ratcliffe keeps making himself the story.

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This was more a match about competence than brilliance. The opposition going down to 10 men is not the guarantee it may be seen as, as this United team proved against Everton. But with Spurs, we saw an accomplished, professional performance with little drama.

Goals from Mbeumo and Bruno, and assured performances from Maguire and Martinez, meant this never got nervy or edgy; instead, it was defined by comfort and calmness - a welcome break from the dramatic wins of the last three weeks. Can United overcome another hurdle when they visit West Ham this week? We discuss all this and more, with a brief musical interlude. Thanks for listening!

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United spent most of the afternoon looking like a team that knows what it is doing. The press was sharp, the midfield compact, and Fulham found little joy between the lines. Two goals felt like a fair reflection of the control exerted, even if the chances had been few.

Then the final minutes arrived, and the old chaos briefly returned. A penalty, a wonderful strike, and suddenly a stroll became a scramble. But this time, United had an answer. Sesko's strike was not luck; it was a player ready for the moment, evidence of a squad with options and belief.

There is still fragility there. But there is also something new. Refusal to accept the draw, a sense that these players expect to win even when they have made it difficult. Carrick has not eliminated the drama, but he may be channelling it.

Whether that proves sustainable or merely seductive, only time will tell.

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At the Emirates, United did something unfamiliar: they controlled the danger. Arsenal had the ball, but mostly the wrong shots; United had fewer looks, but the right ones. They went behind, didn’t wobble, and stayed disciplined enough to keep the chances low-quality at both ends. Limited, but ruthless.

Is this a blueprint for every game? No. What remains to be seen is whether this is one string to United's bow that can be deployed to win these games, or the only way we can play without exposing our weaknesses. To answer that question, further evidence is needed, but for now, we can enjoy watching a United team that is less focused on suffering and is beginning to thrive.

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This derby felt like more than a win; it felt like a shift. Under Michael Carrick, United did not cling on against Manchester City - they stood up to them, played with nerve, and took control when it mattered.

This week, we look back at a match won in moments. United showed composure, calmness and bravery when it mattered. Two goals, properly earned, and a performance managed with a composure we have rarely seen this season.

It is only one match, and the real signs of progress will come in games we are expected to dominate, but it carries weight: belief restored, momentum created, and the Carrick era beginning with a statement.

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The margins at Manchester United remain razor-thin. Under Darren Fletcher, after Ruben Amorim’s departure, the gap between what our forwards can muster and what our defenders allow is far too narrow. Football’s variance means most of our games will stay competitive, and we won’t reliably go on long winning runs or long losing runs until one or both of these lines move on the graph. With Burnley, we were probably unlucky not to win, but good teams make their own luck, and we too often rely on the gods. Again against Brighton, we were far from outclassed, but another trophyless season is confirmed as our edge didn’t materialise. We analyse both games and then look forward to the Carrick era beginning in earnest.

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An episode we weren’t expecting to make any time soon, a changing of the guard is afoot at Old Trafford. After another poor result, but mainly after an explosive press conference, Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties on Monday morning, and we pick through the bones of it here. Not a period that will live long in the memory, Amorim’s tenure came to be defined by frustration and false starts. We take a look at the circumstances surrounding his departure, his record, and what his failure says about those who entrusted him with the job.

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Merry Christmas Pod-fans, for this festive treat we decided to join up with Oh! Brother, a Fall podcast, for that grandest of Boxing Day traditions, a family quiz! Hosted by the inimitable Terry Christian, an authoritative voice for all things Music and Football, our two almost specialist subjects. Thanks for all your support through the year, and thanks again to Terry for hosting. Plenty more to come from us here at Red Army Reaction in 2026, starting with Newcastle this evening! UTFR and Merry Christmas!

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