Michael Carrick pleased with ‘buy-in and connection’ after latest victory

Michael Carrick is not being fooled into thinking Manchester United have “cracked it” after his dream start continued by beating a Tottenham side that captain Cristian Romero apologised to after his costly red card.

A year that began with Ruben Amorim’s abrupt exit and some underwhelming results has been transformed by the appointment of the Red Devils’ former midfielder, captain and coach for the remainder of the campaign.

Carrick followed up wins against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham with a 2-0 triumph against his former club Spurs on Saturday lunchtime, when Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes wrapped up a deserved win against the 10-man visitors at Old Trafford.

It was the first time in two years that United have won four Premier League games in a row and left them fourth on 44 points – two points more than they managed last season.

“It’s difficult to comment in terms of what’s changed,” Ruben Amorim’s successor Carrick said. “I’m pleased with the buy-in, connection and everyone’s invested in it. I think that goes a long way.

“At certain times cans see the game flow in different ways and you can look very different, good or bad.

“But I think being in a real good emotional place helps you and, again, that proved to be the case.

“It was different today. We had to manage the game, control the game, and show patience and good quality, but there’s different ways to do it.

“The four games we’ve had have all slightly looked different, but we’re not getting carried away. I’m not sitting here thinking ‘everything’s great, we’ve cracked it’. There’s a lot of work to do so, and I’m fully aware of that.”

Carrick was full of praise for star United skipper Fernandes on a day when Tottenham captain’s recklessness damaged his