Michael Carrick scraps rule established by Ruben Amorim

Michael Carrick has wasted no time stamping his authority on the Manchester United dressing room, formally rescinding one of Ruben Amorim’s most unpopular regulations just weeks after taking caretaker charge.

Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford ended in frustration after a campaign that saw United miss out on European qualification and suffer a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two Grimsby Town. Sources inside the club say the Portuguese boss’s insistence on rigid tactical rules and a blanket ban on personal travel during breaks eroded squad morale, culminating in a series of terse public appearances that did little to ease pressure.

Carrick, appointed interim manager on 6 January 2026, has reversed that travel restriction with immediate effect. The rule—introduced after Marcus Rashford and Casemiro flew to the United States to watch an NBA game during a previous mid-season slump—prohibited players from taking leisure trips when the fixture list cleared. Under the new regime, squad members are free to spend their downtime as they see fit.

The impact of the policy shift is already visible. Bruno Fernandes has returned to Portugal to support a friend in the Pacos de Ferreira versus Torreense fixture, while goalkeeper Senne Lammens paid a visit to former club Royal Antwerp. Coaching staff believe the relaxed approach has contributed to a noticeable lift in mood around Carrington, translating into a sequence of four straight victories that includes derby triumphs over Manchester City and Arsenal.

United’s next competitive outing is not until 23 February 2026, when they travel to Everton. The extended pause offers Carrick additional time to embed his philosophy, yet he has chosen to prioritise trust over restriction, betting that restored freedom will keep confidence high heading into the season’s final months.

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