Gary Neville says it feels like “the magic has returned” to Manchester United after Michael Carrick’s stunning start as head coach transformed a team that had looked broken only weeks ago.

In the space of two games, Carrick has overseen a derby victory over Manchester City and a 3-2 win away at league leaders Arsenal, propelling United into the top four and radically altering the mood around Old Trafford following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.

Neville, speaking on his podcast, admitted he has been “absolutely blown away” by the speed and scale of the turnaround. “You can’t believe how low and how bad it was a few weeks ago,” he said. “The intensity, the compactness, the aggression of the defending, the willingness to get behind the ball together – it’s all changed.”

At the Emirates, United spent long spells without possession but, Neville argued, they controlled the contest in a different way. “In that first 25 minutes when they didn’t have a lot of the ball, they didn’t really concede many chances. They controlled the game without the ball, and then they just started to play a little bit.”

Central to the revival, in Neville’s view, is Carrick’s tactical reset. Abandoning Amorim’s back three, United have shifted to a 4-2-3-1 that better suits the squad’s attacking talent. “He’s definitely instilled a simplicity to it,” Neville said. “It’s my favourite system – a talented player off the striker, two wide players narrowing in, and a really aggressive back four. It’s been a huge turn.”

Neville highlighted the renewed threat in attack, not just in moments of flair but in work rate. “They’ve got a group of players who are talented up front, who are also getting back and helping their defenders, who are digging in.”

For all the excitement, Neville urged a measure of caution, but he is convinced United are now on course for a Champions League place. More than the league position, though, it is the identity that has returned which excites him most. “The magic seems to have returned to the club – the aggression, the risk, the great goals, the speed on the counter-attack. It feels right. That is the way Manchester United have to play.”

After months of frustration and underachievement, Neville believes these last two matches have proved one thing: this team is far better than it had shown – and under Carrick, it is finally starting to look like Manchester United again.