Neville says why Carrick job 'exceptional' and not just putting players 'in right place'

Gary Neville says why what Michael Carrick has done at Manchester United is "exceptional" and not just putting players "in the right position".

Since the arrival of Carrick as interim manager, United have won four games on the trot ahead of a clash away at West Ham United.

They are looking to consolidate a Champions League place and there is the inevitable question of whether Carrick should be given the job on a long-term basis.

While Neville has previously said he feels that United need a more experienced manager, he appears now to be softening towards Carrick.

"They are in a great position, it has been an incredible turnaround, what Michael has done, one thing I will say, I don't buy into this 'all he had to do was put the players into the right position and it was obvious what would happen'."

During Ruben Amorim's spell as manager there was constant criticism of his three at the back formation which didn't appear to suit the players he had.

Neville continued: "I think there has been some exceptional coaching, some exception work with the players for set pieces, interlinking, combinations...

"Of course they have put players in the right positions, they put square pegs in square holes instead of square pegs in round holes. But we are also very quick to have a go at managers who put square pegs in square holes, play a certain system."

And he reflected on Darren Fletcher's two games in charge where he reverted to four at the back but didn't get the results.

"Darren Fletcher went to 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 in the two games against Burnley and Brighton which he lost and that is the best signal - forget what Ruben Amorim did, Darren Fletcher put square pegs in square holes and we didn't get the level of performance.

"But all of a sudden Carrick, Holland, Evans and Woodgate have come in put the 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1, with similar players, except Amad and Mbeumo who are back which is a factor, but the combinations, and the way the team work together is completely different.

"There is some high quality work going on in the training ground."

And he added that the coaches "haven't just thrown the players out on the pitch".