Carrick has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for January after a perfect start to life with the Red Devils.
The former midfielder beat the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City in January and continues to lead the way to become the club’s permanent manager once the campaign ends.
He is now seeking to push the side back to the Champions League after jumping above the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool as United fans warm to him.
How has Carrick turned the side around?
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds, Townsend has revealed what Carrick has done to turn the club around in just over a week.
“I think Michael Carrick has done a really good job since he’s come in. Some of the decisions he's made have been very straightforward like playing Kobbie Mainoo.
“He’s been naming unchanged starting lineups and that’s never a bad thing. If you’ve got a winning team, don’t change it. Too many managers rotate players when their team’s been on a good run. All of a sudden they’re giving this player a game, that player a game, but when you have a winning team, and they look like they’re enjoying things, just roll with it. Keep going. Live in that moment. Suddenly, you’re five games unbeaten as United are.
“There's a simplicity and an effectiveness to what Michael has done, and he’s doing it in an understated manner. He doesn't shout from the rooftops. He doesn't have to sit there with a tactics board, moving little discs around. He might not be happy with everything that he's seeing all the time. I'm sure he's not but he looks like he's in control.
“Michael isn’t promising the earth. He’s giving players the license to play with more freedom and be a bit more spontaneous on the field, particularly in those forward areas. Lo and behold, they’ve started winning a few.”
Carrick saw his four-game winning run come to an end on Tuesday after snatching a late 1-1 draw at West Ham. He is the favourite to take the job fulltime as things stand but there are many games left to play before the end of the season.