A new Man Utd manager would inherit the same problems as Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick looks set to keep his Manchester United job, despite a dire start to the season and speculation over his future. Changing the manager won’t address the problems that exist in the team.

The news coming out of Old Trafford this morning is that it’s business as usual at Manchester United, with Michael Carrick given the chance to turn results around. That means the 45-year-old will remain in the dugout for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.

Although Carrick will eventually pay the highest price if results don’t improve, the fact that so many issues that existed at United before he was appointed head coach still exist means there are others to blame. For instance, fans have complained about the team lacking an identity, and the ownership has not settled on what they want a United team to look like.

United’s playing style lacks intensity; the players are being accused of not putting in a shift, and there are holes in most positions. The recruitment is still being heavily scrutinised, so here are several things that won’t immediately change, even if the manager does.

A defence in need of an upgrade

It’s been years since United invested properly in the defensive department, which explains why the same players are involved in the same poor results. Carrick was also left short in the left-back department going into the new season. The full-back areas have been a constant source of frustration, too.

Moreover, United have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League this season, and I don’t think there’s a manager out there who can transform some of these players into consistent performers when so many have failed.

Ideally, United should be looking at two centre-backs and full-backs for either flank next summer. These are not positions you can take shortcuts in, but the board keeps making the same mistakes in recruitment. Fans are fully aware of that.

dantowen81951 Oct 21 I honestly don’t think it matters until the directors are sacked – none of them can be trusted to choose the new manager 3 Reply Report niko Oct 22 Why would you want to sack Carrick when he’s not the problem?Unless you want the next fall guy? I think the Glazers/Ratcliffe/Ineos Conundrum are getting to the end of their tether and they should sell their shares at a reasonable price and go! 2.5b is reasonable, and no one will pay 5b. 0 Reply Report

Dependence on Bruno Fernandes

The fallout between Carrick and Fernandes has dominated the headlines, but it also raises the point that United are so dependent on the Portuguese midfielder. This weakness was exposed last weekend when Carrick dropped his captain for the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

United didn’t create a single big chance against Bournemouth. It was no wonder they were without Fernandes, who had been given a lesson by Carrick for speaking out against his tactics earlier that week. This contributed to the fact the fans didn’t sing his name as he sat on the bench throughout a dire performance against the Cherries.

dancoombs 1 days ago The decision also exposed how useless Mason Mount is. One of our highest earners, number 7 shirt, there’s the chance he has been waiting for. No impact 1 Reply Report georgemukami26 1 days ago It is a good choice but for now, man utd don’t have a good playmaker except Bruno. Whole team don’t have intensity. 2 Reply Report

It looks like Fernandes will leave United next year, but until that happens, whoever comes in will have to deal with this level of reliance on one player. This raises further questions about the level of recruitment rather than criticism of Fernandes, who has been a fantastic player for United since joining from Sporting CP in 2020.

The problem now is that Fernandes is not playing well, looks unhappy, and threw Carrick under the bus following United’s defeat to Como. United need to get him back to his best this season before it’s too late.

It’s also time for the club to start thinking about life without Fernandes. Especially when he’s looked very unhappy since the beginning of the season.

No centre-forward

With Benjamin Sesko out with another bad injury, Carrick doesn’t have another recognised centre-forward in the squad. He’s having to play Bryan Mbeumo up front, after previously playing Matheus Cunha in the role.

This is another area where Carrick was left short in the summer. We can’t pretend that Joshua Zirkzee is a striker because he doesn’t exactly have an eye for goal and rarely poses a threat inside the penalty area. The Netherlands international has scored 10 goals in 83 appearances for the club.

On top of needing defensive reinforcements, United need to restock the striker department. Not having cover for goals will continue to hurt this team regardless of who is in the dugout, especially with Sesko’s injury record.