Michael Carrick just did something Ruben Amorim never did at Manchester United

Man Utd’s U21s won 3-2 against Sporting Lisbon in the Premier League International Cup and Michael Carrick attended.

Ruben Amorim insisted on doing everything his way at Manchester United, which meant he ignored some easy wins, like making the effort to attend an academy game to show support for the club’s young players. Amorim once walked over to observe some of an academy match at Carrington, but he did not make the effort to properly watch a youth game during his one-and-a-half-year tenure

Michael Carrick was appointed as interim last week and attended an Under-21 match just seven days later, sitting alongside Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate and Travis Binnion. Jason Wilcox, director of football, and head of the academy, Stephen Torpey, were present, while Darren Fletcher also attended after returning to his role as Under-18 following a brief stint as caretaker.

It might not seem important that Carrick and his backroom staff made the effort to attend, but the truth is their presence is a symbol of support for the youth system and highlights that there is a pathway. Carrick planned to speak to the Under-21s after their game against Sporting Lisbon, another classy touch from United’s interim head coach. Some academy players were disillusioned with Amorim’s comments in the media, but Carrick has sought to provide encouragement in his first week in the job.

Fletcher spoke passionately as he defended the academy in a recent press conference, and Carrick is expected to pick up that baton, despite only having assurances of the job until the end of the season for now Carrick made 464 United appearances and understands the club’s finest teams across the decades have included academy players. Followers of the academy argued that understanding was not there with Amorim.

Amorim overstepped the mark when he suggested Harry Amass was “struggling” on loan in the Championship, pointed to Chido Obi not starting every U21 game and namedropped Toby Collyer unprompted. The level-headed Carrick is guaranteed not to make such headlines.

And Carrick was treated to a thoroughly entertaining first half at Leigh Sports Village, which saw James Scanlon score twice to give United a 2-1 advantage against Sporting. Woodgate was spotted pointing at the team sheet at the interval and might well have been saying ‘the goalscorer looks like a good player’.

Scanlon has already made a handful of senior international appearances for Gibraltar, who he qualifies to represent through his mother, and he has clearly outgrown academy football, which was further illustrated by him completing his hat-trick in the second half with a clinical finish in the box. Torpey is looking after loans after Evans’ decision to step down from his role as head of loans and pathways, and he should arrange a move away for Scanlon before the end of the January transfer window.

Tyler Fredricson wore the captain’s armband against Sporting, a few days after sitting alongside Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt to watch the Manchester derby in the directors’ box. From the players who started against Sporting, Fredricson is another obvious candidate for a loan in the second half of the campaign. The youngster has been given just two first-team minutes since being hooked against Grimsby Town in August and would benefit from playing in a competitive environment.

Carrick got a first glimpse of the Fletcher brothers in action. Jack Fletcher played from the bench in successive Premier League games against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Wolves in December, and he would have seen Sporting as an audition for further opportunities now Carrick has taken charge of the team.

Tyler Fletcher has made three matchday squads in the Premier League without getting a chance to make his debut. He will look at what his twin brother has achieved and be motivated to do the same.

It will be interesting to see how much Carrick uses academy prospects, given he has a practically full-strength squad at his disposal and just 16 games remaining in the top flight this season.

Only the best young players from the academy will be able to earn minutes and Shea Lacey is the favourite to stay around Carrick’s senior squad. He was not involved against Sporting after training with the first-team at Carrington, and he currently has the wind behind his sails after two bright cameos.

United ultimately claimed a 3-2 victory against Sporting, but they will only learn whether they progress to the knockout rounds of the Premier League International Cup when the remaining group games are played. Carrick was at least treated to a five-goal thriller and a hat-trick from the talented Scanlon at Leigh.