Man Utd news: Michael Carrick's rule change instantly pays off as axed star in exit admission

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Manchester United will be aiming to keep in contention with the top-four of the Premier League table as domestic action returns this weekend. Michael Carrick's side won't play until Monday evening when Leeds United come to visit Old Trafford.

United have been in fine form since Carrick took over , climbing up the table and settling into third place. The club have also enjoyed some time off with the international break, coupled with the FA Cup last weekend, to allow for three weeks off from competitive action.

After a mid-season training trip to Ireland in the week, United will be raring to get back to Premier League duties with just seven games left in the season. European football seems to be on the horizon and a permanent appointment of a manager is also on the club's list of priorities.

Here, Mirror Football has the latest headlines coming out of Old Trafford.

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Carrick's manoeuvre from the 3-5-2 formation employed under Ruben Amorim to a 4-2-3-1 formation at United has worked wonders, according to Bruno Fernandes . The club captain has been pleasantly surprised by the interim manager's prowess on the touchline since he joined, winning seven out of 10 matches in charge and only losing one.

This switch to a new formation, plus the inclusion of Kobbie Mainoo , has seen instant results with Fernandes saying it has resulted in the club scoring more goals with United hitting the back of the net 20 times so far under Carrick. Speaking to Men in Blazers , he said: "Obviously, we have changed some things.

"He changed some players, changed some players' positions, has tried a different formation, and at the end of the day, we have started to score goals. We were creating a lot.

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"In terms of creation and chances of goals, we were there at the top when Ruben was here, but we were not finishing that. And then we were probably one of the best teams at not allowing the opposition into our box, but we would concede more goals.

"We started to be more compact when we defend, and realised we have moments when we have to suffer because we were not in an excellent moment, let's say, so I think that sacrifice we made in the first few games... I wouldn't say we were lucky, but it was good for us to have two big games straight away.

"Because if you win against City and then win against Arsenal at the Emirates, then we think it's going to be fine, we're playing good football now and we're going to win. I think City was the game when we played the best. Against Arsenal, we made the most of it and found a way to win.

"Sometimes big clubs have to find a way to win games. Whether it's pretty or not, you have to find a way to get results."

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Alejandro Garnacho admits that he holds no grudge against United after leaving Manchester to join Chelsea in the summer. The Argentinian star was seen as a wonderkid for the Red Devils and was well on his way to becoming a cult hero.

However, the 21-year-old ended up heading to Stamford Bridge, signing a seven-year deal with a fee of £40 million being paid to his old club. Speaking about his move this week, though, Garnacho told Premier League Productions that he holds no ill will towards his former club and is happy at Chelsea.

He said: "Yeah, at United have nothing wrong to say about the club or any teammates, no one. Just a moment on life changed. My life continued. So we have to keep looking forward."

Highlighting his time so far at Chelsea, Garnacho added: "We know the team we have, the things we can do. Sometimes is better in some moments, and worse.

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