MICHAEL CARRICK has lifted Manchester United to third in the top-flight – and he is also driving the club towards record shirt sales.
Caretaker boss Carrick, who has brought the feel good factor back to Old Trafford, officially has the joint-best start after nine games by any manager or head coach in the history of the Premier League.
It is understood that as a result, club stores are reporting a sharp upturn in sales, which could see the club bank close to £200million from kit and merchandise sales this year.
Latest figures from Uefa show United returned to the top of the table for Premier League club kit and merchandise sales.
The Red Devils earned a record £150.3m from sales last year – more than £18m more than second-placed Arsenal, who generated sales worth £132m.
Liverpool slipped to third place after earning £129.4m – £40.2m ahead of fourth-placed Tottenham.
Chelsea were the only club in the Premier League’s top eight not to increase their shirt sales.
The Stamford Bridge outfit generated £83m from that revenue stream – the same figure as the previous year.
That is £67.3m less than United.
Carrick, 44, continued his unbeaten start at the Old Trafford helm by coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday.
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Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko netted after Eagles goalscorer Maxence Lacroix was sent off.
The fightback allowed United to leapfrog Aston Villa in the Premier League table.
And Carrick’s side are now just 13 points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s table-topping Arsenal.
United have only dropped Premier League points against West Ham since the change in the dugout.
The Red Devils are back in action tomorrow, when they are set to make the trip to Newcastle.
