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And just like that, the curtain has come down on another Premier League season, with Manchester United once again ending the campaign without a trophy.

Yet, the mood inside Old Trafford feels worlds apart from the gloom that engulfed the club in 2025, when supporters were left disillusioned by the struggles under Ruben Amorim.

Last season’s conclusion couldn’t arrive quickly enough, with the final whistle against Aston Villa met more with relief than celebration, even though it ended an eight-match winless streak in the league.

This time around, the outlook is far brighter.

With Michael Carrick signing a new contract, optimism has returned. The form United displayed during the latter half of the 2025/26 season suggests that, if extended, they might have been able to close in on the Premier League’s top two. After all, under Carrick’s command, the rejuvenated Red Devils thrashed Manchester City and defeated champions Arsenal in his first two games in charge.

While claiming that United are ready for a title fight would be premature, the numbers illustrate how impressive Carrick’s impact has been.

Since stepping in as interim head coach in January, he has collected 39 points from 17 matches — the highest tally of any manager in that period, and three points more than Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, as noted by The Athletic.

To be fair, context matters. United’s only focus since January has been the league, while many of their rivals have juggled multiple competitions. That advantage cannot be ignored.

Fortune also lent a hand — as seen in United’s narrow 2-1 victory over Brentford, where Igor Thiago’s missed chances proved costly for the opposition. It’s fair to say United may not have fully earned every single point they secured.

Nonetheless, Carrick has made the most of his circumstances. While leading a table that begins arbitrarily in mid-January doesn’t bring any silverware, it serves as a meaningful marker of United’s progress under new leadership.

United fans, having endured enough disappointment in recent years, deserve to take joy in small victories — and this one is worth savouring.

With improved results come heightened expectations. The 2026/27 season should still be viewed as one of consolidation rather than an immediate title push, but the standards have clearly shifted.

Previously, a top-four finish without a trophy might have been considered satisfactory. Now, that outcome would feel somewhat underwhelming — a sign of rising ambition within the club.

The upcoming summer will be crucial. United’s current squad lacks the depth and quality required to compete seriously for major honours or to handle the demands of a busier fixture list.

How United strengthen their ranks is one part of the equation, but the progress of their rivals will also shape the landscape. Arsenal and Manchester City remain the benchmark, while it’s unlikely that Liverpool and Chelsea will falter for a second consecutive season.

Regardless of what follows, the first half of 2026 has been a breath of fresh air compared to the struggles that preceded it. For now, fans can relax, enjoy the World Cup, catch some cricket, and look forward to the return of Carrick-ball 2.0 — which promises to be compelling viewing when it resumes.