Analysis: Carrick's important victory

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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick went into this game with so many questions to answer.

His side had won once in four games and suffered a shock home defeat by Leeds last time out.

Carrick discovered in the build-up to the game that, in addition to the injured Matthijs de Ligt and suspended Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, he would be without a fourth central defender in Leny Yoro, who suffered a minor problem in training.

It meant pairing 19-year-old Ayden Heaven with Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui, normally a full-back, in central defence.

They both responded magnificently in a team performance that could not be described as aesthetically pleasing but contained all the togetherness, solidity and determination needed in a run-in.

Yet again, though, Bruno Fernandes made the decisive contribution.

The skipper has his detractors, but the people who are paid to pick the teams he plays for would not be without him.

His awareness is unmatched in this incarnation of United and it is not a stretch to say his impact on the club exceeds that of any single individual since manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Indeed, it would now be a surprise if Fernandes did not break the Premier League assists record and, with his contract about to enter its final year, the pressure will soon come on the club's powerbrokers to come up with a deal befitting his status.