Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko celebrates his injury-time equaliser at West Ham
The early exits from both domestic cup competitions have led to Manchester United having their smallest number of games in a season since 1914-15. This has resulted in the remainder of their campaign being split into blocks, separated by longer than usual breaks without fixtures.
Currently, the team is in the first such break, with a 12-day gap before their next match at Everton.
For Michael Carrick, appointed on 13 January, this pause offers a valuable chance for the squad to "refresh," allowing players to "clean up their niggles and strains" and "take a bit of a breather."
It also provides an opportunity for reflection.
Carrick did not suggest that Benjamin Sesko's injury-time equaliser turned their 1-1 draw at West Ham into an extension of his previous four-match winning streak; rather, that run ended with the draw.
"In the grand scheme of things, we take the point, dust ourselves down a little bit and assess it," he said.
"If you take it over a five-game period, to just have one draw in there is a big positive."
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Carrick's gamble pays off
Carrick's initial wins against title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal were unexpected. Victories over Fulham and Tottenham were anticipated but came with challenges that required solutions.
Combined with the struggles of Chelsea and Liverpool, United currently sit fourth, holding a useful, though not decisive, advantage in the race for a Champions League spot—something few envisioned after Ruben Amorim's dismissal following the 4 January draw at Leeds.
"We know how hard it is to put a run together in this league," said Carrick, whose side are now unbeaten in nine league games under three managers, including interim Darren Fletcher.
"Sometimes it comes naturally, it flows and everything clicks. You look really dangerous and there's a spark. Sometimes it's a little bit stodgy."
The key question for Carrick is whether his team can secure wins against opponents they are expected to beat.
Many considered West Ham to be in that category, despite Nuno Espirito Santo's side aiming for their fourth win in five league games and having led Chelsea 2-0 in a recent match.
Carrick did not secure a victory.
However, he took a calculated risk to salvage something from a game that seemed lost.
When Manchester United drew with West Ham at Old Trafford in December, Amorim's only offensive substitution was Mason Mount for Joshua Zirkzee 12 minutes from time. His final change was defensive, replacing Lisandro Martinez with Luke Shaw. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and young forward Shea Lacey remained unused on the bench.
At the London Stadium, Carrick took a different approach. While Sesko replaced Matheus Cunha, who had been ineffective—as had all United's attacking players that day—the more significant gamble was introducing Zirkzee for full-back Diogo Dalot eight minutes from time.
This switch to a back three allowed United to push more players forward.
Carrick was aware of the risk of conceding a second goal, but thanks to two excellent tackles from substitute Leny Yoro and a save by Senne Lammens, that did not occur.
With over five minutes of injury time played out of seven added, United still had a chance. Sesko's brilliant finish ensured they left with a point.
"It's always worth it to try and get something out of the game," Carrick said of his substitution.
"We all want the perfect kind of performance, to be the best we can be.
"Sometimes it doesn't quite happen, but it doesn't mean you give up.
"Obviously we went for it, with three at the back and the rest all attacking basically to try and find that goal. That's the way we should do it."
This approach reflects the philosophy of Sir Alex Ferguson, who was known for taking calculated risks to achieve desired outcomes, contributing to his many late successes.
Recent examples include an 87th-minute winner against Arsenal, a 90th-minute winner against Fulham, and now a 95th-minute equaliser against West Ham.
Carrick is pleased with the 13 points gained from his first block of games.
As he prepares for the next series of three matches, he is equally satisfied with the spirit and resilience demonstrated by his team.
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