Manchester United's Struggles: What’s Going Wrong for Carrick's Crew?
Manchester United faced a crushing 4-1 defeat at the hands of Como in the Champions League, exposing glaring issues in defense, attack, and physicality. This loss has compounded a nightmare start to the season under Michael Carrick, leaving the team winless in their last seven matches across all competitions.
It's been exactly five months since United confirmed Carrick would continue as head coach, but there’s little reason to celebrate after such a disheartening performance. Carrick admitted he was "angry" following the game, which also sparked discontent among players, with captain Bruno Fernandes openly criticizing the tactical approach.
This season has seen United stumble to their worst-ever Premier League start, and the recent European embarrassment has only intensified scrutiny. The team’s decline contrasts sharply with the promising form they showed towards the end of last season, which led to Carrick's extension through 2028. So, where has it all gone wrong?
Recent player sentiments have highlighted the issues. Fernandes expressed frustration this week, while last week Lisandro Martinez directed his ire at the club's management for not enhancing the squad during the summer transfer window. Despite a hefty £163 million spend, United invested less than promoted teams like Hull City and Ipswich, failing to adequately strengthen key areas like left-back and center-forward.
The reasons behind United’s limited summer investment are complex, rooted in the Glazer family's ownership. Carrick has struggled to elevate the squad from last season’s 40 games to the demands of Champions League football and a bid to improve on last season’s third-place finish.
The World Cup placed an added burden on many players, and with concerns about this season's increased workload, Youri Tielemans’ remarks about a lighter pre-season have raised alarm bells. The lack of intensity has become a glaring issue for United.
In six of their seven Premier League outings, they’ve been out-run, with the only exception being a match where Manchester City played with ten men. Carrick succinctly pointed out, “If you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win.”
Fernandes’ frustrations with the pressing strategy were evident in Como, but his own form has dipped dramatically. He has contributed just one goal involvement in his last nine games, a significant drop from last season's performance where he set the assists record. Since scoring against Ipswich, he has managed only two shots on target from twelve attempts.
Despite creating the most chances in the league, United ranks among the worst for expected goals per shot, often opting for speculative attempts instead of quality opportunities. The absence of a reliable striker like Benjamin Sesko due to injury has left the team without a clear focal point. Fernandes even tried his hand at playing false nine, but it didn't yield results.
Struggling to score, United needs defensive solidity, yet they haven’t kept a clean sheet all season. In Italy, full-backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui had particularly tough nights, while Matthijs de Ligt’s first appearance in nearly a year was far from smooth.
Injuries to key players like Martinez and Luke Shaw, along with illness and suspensions, have compounded the problem. It’s unclear whether the issues stem from personnel, tactical structure, or a lack of fitness and intensity, but the team is frequently exposed at the back.
Carrick has experimented with different midfield pairings to shield the defense, but finding the right combination remains elusive. Thankfully, United could welcome back four players for their upcoming match against Bournemouth, which could provide a much-needed boost.
Fernandes emphasized the need for a mental shift, stating that winning the psychological battle is just as vital as the physical one. He reflected on the impact of conceding an early goal against Como, noting, "Conceding the goal very early makes us feel like we’re already defeated. It’s tough to shake that off without being brave and pushing forward."
As they return to Old Trafford, United must exhibit courage both on and off the ball to turn around their fortunes. Recapturing the form that propelled them last season will be no easy feat, but it’s a challenge that Carrick and his players must face head-on.
