Carrick still appears to be the lead on the broader tactical picture, but Holland’s growing influence looks significant.
That profile matters at a club where noise can quickly drown out detail. Holland has long had a reputation as a coach who improves habits, and for a staff trying to give Carrick’s ideas a sharper competitive feel, that may be just as valuable as any big tactical innovation.
Holland did not arrive as an unknown assistant. His years with England gave him credibility with several United players already familiar with his methods, including Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw. Reports also suggest his work on tactical preparation and dead-ball situations was highly regarded during his international spell.
That matters because modern coaching staffs are often judged on marginal gains. If United are becoming tougher from restarts and more demanding in training, Holland’s fingerprints appear to be on it.
His England years were not entirely smooth. The dispute involving Ben White remains part of the story, a reminder that demanding coaches can leave a mark in different ways. Yet Holland’s career has largely been built on trust, elite-level experience and a clear football principle. As Holland himself once put it: “It is about winning.”
That is the line that will define his spell at Old Trafford. After the recent 1-0 derby defeat to Manchester City, the next question is whether Holland’s influence can help turn improved structure and standards into results.