Michael Carrick has heralded the spirit and togetherness of the Manchester United squad as a big reason for our recent form.
Carrick, who was named Premier League Manager of the Month for January on Friday, has overseen a five-match unbeaten run since being appointed head coach a month ago.
The headline-grabbing wins against Manchester City and Arsenal are what tipped the balance in the boss’s favour, but we’ve since followed them up with further impressive Old Trafford successes over Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.
During a chat with the Inside Carrington podcast to mark the accolade, Carrick also cited some of the other, less obvious, moments during Tuesday’s draw at West Ham United, which helped us stay in the game prior to Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time equaliser.
He suggested that it's these incidents, rather than the euphoric late strikes, that indicate a growing resolve.
“That's the goal, I think - connecting with the players and everyone,”
he began, when asked about the impression he’s made on the group.
“I think it’s important for us all to feel that we're really together, you know, whether that's the boys that are starting games, the boys that are coming on, the rest of the squad, staff, certainly the supporters.
“I think it’s what we've become used to for a long period of time in this football club, and this is what makes it special, so we’ve got to use that, because it's quite unique.
“You talk about the spirit and togetherness, at the West Ham game, Ben gets a lot of the headlines and rightly so because it was a massive moment and he’s done great, but the other side of it is the spirit.
“Leny [Yoro] has done great, two counter-attacks and putting two big challenges in, Bryan [Mbeumo]’s recovery runs, Amad’s recovery runs.
“It’s quite easy to lose that game 2-0 in those circumstances, but that’s when the spirit counts and I’ve spoke to the players about that.
“Spirit doesn’t come from scoring late and the big highlights, spirit comes from tougher situations and finding your way through it and working together.
“The sacrifice that they give, ultimately lets us take something from the game, so there’s a lot goes into it but that connection, that spirit, that’s what we’ve got to use: for the good and for the tough situations as well.”