Daftar Isi
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has acknowledged that his side must urgently improve their defensive record to turn their season around. Speaking ahead of their Champions League fixture against Como, Carrick admitted that defensive frailties need fixing as his team struggles to keep clean sheets.
Defensive Struggles and Defensive Continuity
United have managed just a single clean sheet in 10 matches this season, which came against Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK last month. The issue extends beyond the current campaign, with the team recording only nine clean sheets across 63 matches under predecessor Ruben Amorim and just six in 17 games under Carrick last term. By comparison, Arsenal have recorded seven clean sheets in 11 matches this season.
Achieving defensive stability has been hindered by a lack of selection continuity in the back line. Carrick has only been able to name an identical starting back four once this season, when Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw started the victory against Ipswich and kept their places for the following match against Everton.
Fitness issues continue to stretch United’s defensive resources. While Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt is fit and ready after 11 months out following May surgery, Martinez recently suffered a thigh injury. Furthermore, Leny Yoro is suspended, and Shaw is expected to remain sidelined beyond the November international break.
Left-Back Dilemma and Young Players
The lack of a natural left-back has forced Carrick to use five different players in that position during the opening six games of the season, with Dalot filling in against Leeds. United did hold deadline-day talks with Manchester City over Algeria international Rayan Ait-Nouri, highlighting awareness of the position.
Nineteen-year-old Harry Amass has made just one substitute appearance this season, with coaching staff previously feeling he was not yet at the required level. However, Carrick stated that Amass is firmly in contention to play.
“He’s right in contention,” Carrick said. “At some point, young players need an opportunity. It’s just finding the right time.”
Transfer Window Choices and Squad Management
Criticism has been directed at Carrick and sporting director Jason Wilcox for failing to sign competition for Shaw, with some observers suggesting the £50m spent on Andrey Santos from Chelsea should have been allocated elsewhere. Sitting alongside Santos at a press conference, Carrick defended the club’s summer business.
“When we’ve got injuries at different stages, we can always look at what could have been done and where we could have improved,” Carrick said. “I spoke to you about making the best of the transfer window in the situation we had. This man next to us [Santos] was a big part of that. I’m delighted to have him.”
Manchester United will look to address their defensive vulnerabilities when they face Como at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium on Wednesday.
Source: BBC Sport
