I sounded the alarm on Michael Carrick's training changes and now Man Utd are suffering consequences

Michael Carrick made sweeping changes to Manchester United’s training sessions after becoming head coach.

When Michael Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim in the Manchester United hot seat, changes were welcomed because the Red Devils were struggling and needed a fresh approach.

One of the first actions taken by Carrick was to rip up Amorim’s training plans and implement his own methods. A fairly natural decision made by any new coach stepping into a football club…

Reports claimed that Carrick shortened training sessions to 75 minutes, with extra focus placed on individual work rather than a zoomed-out tactical approach. The response was that players seemed to love Carrick’s training sessions.

Michael Carrick’s training changes are backfiring at Man United

The immediate aftermath to Carrick’s changes were positive, with United climbing to third in the Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League and earning more points than any other side in the division since the change of manager.

But back in March, I wrote that Carrick’s training changes carry a big risk.

Shortening training sessions and reducing intensity was a clever way to get players back on side and recharge their batteries for the second half of the season. But the long-term effects are that United fall physically and tactically behind their rivals.

Amorim pushed hard to improve the intensity and physicality of this squad. They were two areas he stressed that United were behind.

In the latest 3-2 defeat to Brighton, United fans booed after watching a side that were outworked, outfought and outscored. The reality is that Brighton looked more organised, more motivated, and crucially… better-drilled.

United can lose matches, but what fans won’t accept is seeing players not running. There was a jaw-dropping lack of intensity or urgency from the Red Devils in the final 20-30 minutes at Old Trafford, and it will be traced back to Carrick.

Carrick took responsibility for the performance, and ultimately it will be him that pays the price if United cannot overcome this slump in form.

Youri Tielemans highlighted a Man United training concern

Over the summer, £35m signing Youri Tielemans spoke to Rio Ferdinand, and his comments on Carrick’s training sessions came across as shocking.

“Was it hard sessions this morning. Sharp? Not loads of running?” Ferdinand asked.

Tielemans responded: “Yeah, just sharp. That’s what it’s been like. No, not a lot of running. When you come back from the World Cup, you just chill.”

Ferdinand was visibly shocked at the response, and it is because it reflects a drop in standards from his days of training under Sir Alex Ferguson.