“We couldn’t find a way to get into the game. With the ball, without the ball, we were out of it.” A fair assessment from Michael Carrick, if not an entirely explanatory one.
Stuck in the mire of Manchester United’s worst start to a league season for 40 years, the manager appeared lost for legitimate reasons. His margin for error is shrinking every week.
Why was his team beaten at home by the Premier League’s bottom club? Why can’t they keep them in directions? Why do they seem unable to play against 10 players?
These are all fair questions to ask of the man himself, and many were asked of Carrick in the wake of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Spurs. None were answered in sufficient detail to satisfy, however, it really only served to hold a mirror up to what was provided on the field: inadequacy.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League
Clearly, the manager can only take so much of the blame. His players have yet to deliver a single complete performance, only slight displays of individualism and self-direction. Where is the cohesiveness that formed the end of last year? What happened to the clarity that turned a collapsing season into a third-place finish?
The fans who come to Old Trafford every week have been left insecure. They don’t know what to expect from one game to the next, only how to express their displeasure at what happens. On Saturday three separate choruses of noise could be heard from the terraces.
“I think the fans will stick with the project,” reflected Old Trafford’s Gary Neville. “I don’t think the slurs are against Michael Carrick for a minute. But what I would say is that they are coming back very quickly.”
When United needed a calm voice to steer the ship earlier this year, they turned to a man whose entire career has been built on him. However, this version of Manchester United feels a long way from the team that started this season.
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Gary Neville feels the midfield partnership of Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo lacks dynamism and is not suited to the Premier League.
In the midfield, the problems are more visible. And yet this is the department that received the biggest injection of cash this summer, a complete overhaul in terms of personnel and profiles. The Kobbie Mainoo-Youri Tielemans axis is not working. Andrey Santos is barely glancing at him.
Hopes that Carlos Baleba could hit the ground running after an injury-plagued start were palpable; his presentation after an hour brought the entire stadium to life. Almost every touch was positive and he looked after the ball, completing 16 of 18 passes and creating as many chances as Bruno Fernandes managed all game (2).
However, the space and freedom with which Spurs operated presents issues that cannot be solved by a midfielder. United broke open time and time again, the gaps appearing in a myriad of ways. The visitors were able to win the ball in the final third five times in the first half alone. Five of United’s shy starters did not leave for international duty during the break.
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Dominic Solanke grabbed the late equalizer for 10-man Spurs
And it wasn’t just the aggressiveness of Spurs’ press that was effective. They picked United holes on the ball too, using brilliant one-touch combinations to move through thirds with pace and purpose. Savio attempted 10 dribbles. He only completed the half, but the replay was testament to his belief that United can be achieved. He was right.
Then there are concerns about the mentality of a team that repeatedly fails to beat 10 men. Again, United were outplayed and outpaced – this time by a team that played with one man down for 21 minutes, including stoppage time.
“If we’re ahead in the game, we have to see it,” says Carrick. This much is clear. What is less clear is how some of these error patterns will be addressed.
“Football is character”, concluded the head of the opposition, Roberto De Zerbi. United must find some character from somewhere, or risk being eaten away by the competition. If the past few weeks have taught us anything, it’s that the Premier League is in no mood for sympathy.
Man Utd’s next five games
Sunday, October 18, 12:30 p.m
Departure at 14:00
Four of Man Utd’s next five games are away from home, including the next three.
October 13: Atletico Madrid vs Man UtdChampions League
October 18: Leeds vs Man UtdPremier League, live on Sky Sports
October 21: Como vs Man UtdChampions League
October 25: Man Utd vs Bournemouth, Premier League, live Sky Sports
October 31: Chelsea vs Man UtdPremier League, live on Sky Sports
