Michael Carrick challenges Man Utd to put things right after Villa draw

It was another disappointing result for Manchester United, but Michael Carrick believes his side were the better team against an Aston Villa side that threw away two separate two-goal leads at Old Trafford.

Manchester United conceded two goals in quick succession in both halves, prompting a response from Michael Carrick’s players. It’s disappointing that sloppy defending keeps costing us, as today’s result means the Reds are spending the November international break 18th in the Premier League.

After United went two goals down, on both occasions, they responded – but it was too little, too late to secure three points. A win would have kept the team afloat above the relegation zone for the foreseeable future.

Although Carrick could breathe a sigh of relief at the full-time whistle, he will still be disappointed to have reached November without recording back-to-back wins this season. That explains why United are in the relegation zone with Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

Michael Carrick urges Man Utd players to tighten up

United’s inability to block out goals early on in the games not only kills momentum, but it gives the team an uphill climb every week. Carrick cannot expect any consistency from this team until they learn how to defend properly.

Most of Villa’s goals were avoidable, and the first two saw Senne Lammens at fault. That isn’t enough to explain Diogo Dalot’s foul that led to Villa’s penalty kick or Leny Yoro heading the ball off his own post before Leon Goretzka kicked the ball into an empty net to make it 4-2.

There were phases of the match where United played good football. That is how they found a way back into the game. Not once, but twice.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Carrick reflected on the match, saying: “Disappointed not to win the game.

“We were the better team for large parts. Made it difficult for ourselves with the goals we’re giving away. Not just one but two in succession to put us in a difficult position. We did it the other night, did it again today, come back into the game and then could’ve won it at the end.

“It’s just moments we need to tighten up on, different moments in the game and we’re giving teams goals that they don’t normally get in the game. We tighten up on that then there’s a lot of good in that performance. I thought we were the better team but conceding the goals that we are is not helping us at all.

“No goal is a good goal to concede but there are ones you can do a bit more about and the ones we gave away today we have to tighten it up. It’s making it difficult for ourselves and giving ourselves too much to do in games but we did a lot and still feel we should have won the game.”

In addition to saying United need to tighten up at the back to prevent so many goals being conceded, Carrick admitted his players have been at fault for too many soft goals this season. He added: “There’s been too many – that is clear and we know that. Something we have to put right.

“I liked the character, the quality of football. We had most of the game, attacked the box we had shots and created chances. Coming from a place where you’re 2-0 down and haven’t had a good run of results the boys played good football – pressed well. A lot of the game was where we want it but if you look at it overall there’s a lot [to like] and to finish the game and never give up it shows the character in the boys.”