Carrick named Premier League Manager of the Month and Thiago named Player of the Month for January
The Premier League announced on Friday the winners of its Player of the Month awards for January, with the results bringing pleasant surprises for Manchester United and Brentford fans, as interim manager Michael Carrick and Brazilian striker Igor Tiago were crowned.
The Red Devils uprising led by Carrick
Michael Carrick, the interim manager of Manchester United, has won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for January, just a short time after taking over. This well-deserved accolade comes after Carrick successfully restored balance to the team following his appointment from Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim mid-month. Carrick's task was far from easy, as he faced a grueling fixture schedule, but he excelled in guiding the Red Devils to resounding victories, most notably the Manchester derby win against arch-rivals Manchester City, as well as a victory over the formidable Arsenal side. This put the team back on track and boosted the confidence of both the players and the fans.
A historic achievement for interim coaches
Carrick's winning this award is a remarkable achievement in Premier League history, making him one of only seven interim managers to have received this honor. The award holds special significance at Old Trafford, as Carrick is only the second interim manager in Manchester United's history to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who won it in January 2019 after a similar run of impressive results. This accomplishment highlights the immediate impact Carrick had on the dressing room and the significant tactical improvement in the team's performance within a short period.
Thiago... the exceptional Brazilian goalscorer
On the players' side, Brentford's Brazilian striker, Igor Tiago, continued his impressive form, cementing his status as one of the season's standout players. Tiago was named Player of the Month after a prolific scoring spree, netting five crucial goals in January. His tally included a stunning hat-trick against Everton and a brace against Sunderland, directly contributing to his team securing vital points.
New Samba record
Thiago not only won the award, but also made Premier League history, becoming the first Brazilian player to win the Player of the Month award twice in a single season. This achievement reflects his remarkable consistency and significant impact on Brentford's attack, cementing his status as one of the best Brazilian professionals currently playing in England.
