I'm a Man Utd fan and four of Michael Carrick's players can hold their heads up high from Bournemouth loss – opinion

I know that Michael Carrick’s days are well and truly numbered now, but four Manchester United players should escape major criticism after the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

I do not think any Manchester United first-team player covered themselves in major prestige after Sunday afternoon’s Premier League setback at Old Trafford.

However, I feel that it would not be right to write off every one of Michael Carrick’s picks from Man Utd’s disappointing performance against Bournemouth at home.

Following United’s Premier League loss to Bournemouth, I believe these four players are the only ones who should not be blamed in the same way as others.

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1. Shea Lacey

Shea Lacey came on late in the second half for Amad Diallo and the 19-year-old Liverpool-born winger was essentially thrown out there by Michael Carrick instead of Bruno Fernandes. I felt that it was cruel for Carrick to only offer Shea Lacey a real opportunity to shine due to him being the final substitution rather than Bruno Fernandes.

However, Lacey once again showed his desire to exhibit why more players from the Manchester United youth academy deserve a chance to shine. The Red Devils talent delivered a superb cross during his second-half cameo after he beat his man and I think Lacey should receive credit for trying to make something work out of nothing.

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2. Diogo Dalot

I know Diogo Dalot is the easy target for United fans for his performances, both when it is deserved and when it isn’t. On this occasion, however, I think it is hard to criticise him for the attacking output that he showed. When Diogo Dalot is being seen as United’s best attacker against Bournemouth, that is when Red Devils supporters know there is a huge problem going on at the club.

Dalot was seeing the same problems out on the left under Carrick as he did under Ruben Amorim when it comes to his defensive duties. However, I cannot fault him for trying to make something happen in the final third when it felt like a helpless cause in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat.

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3. Carlos Baleba

Compared with Andrey Santos, who was out of his depth against Bournemouth, I do not think the same should be said about Carlos Baleba. Since his return from his pre-season injury, all I know is Carlos Baleba was the best summer signing out of the midfield trio that Ineos pulled off.

Baleba tried to make the midfield tick in the absence of Kobbie Mainoo and the 22-year-old Cameroonian talent had all the pressure on his shoulders. By the time I saw Baleba leave the Old Trafford pitch for Joshua Zirkzee in the 73rd minute, I felt for the Cameroon international for being in the deep end of an overall bad performance from United.

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4. Bryan Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo was the only Man Utd player starting on Sunday who has scored for the Red Devils in the Premier League in 2026. If that were not a damning indictment, then I don’t know what else to really say. However, I feel that he deserves a pass compared with other United players due to the effort he put in at Old Trafford at the weekend.

Bryan Mbeumo came close to scoring after Rayan’s opener, but he was denied by Djordje Petrovic from close range. The pressure has been tenfold on the 27-year-old Cameroon international due to the absence of the injured Benjamin Sesko. If United were ever going to make a comeback against Bournemouth, Mbeumo was the most likely to make something happen when Bruno Fernandes is not on the pitch.