Michael Carrick has put the spotlight on Manchester United’s defensive struggles ahead of their Champions League match against Como, urging improvement to secure more clean sheets. United have managed just one shutout in 10 games this season, a 1-0 win over Azerbaijan’s Sabah FK last month, leaving Carrick clear-eyed about the challenges his side face.
“There’s definitely parts of our game we have to improve to make things easier. I am fully aware of that,” Carrick said during his pre-match news conference at the rain-soaked Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como. His response came after being asked if he had identified the reasons behind United’s defensive frailties.
The defensive record is a concern that stretches beyond this campaign. In Carrick’s 17 matches in charge last season, United kept six clean sheets, including two in their final three games. That contrasts sharply with the previous season under Ruben Amorim, when United managed only two shutouts in 63 games.
This season’s defensive issues stand out even more when compared with Arsenal, who have kept seven clean sheets in 11 matches as they prepare to face Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday. Arsenal’s defensive solidity helped them win the Premier League last term, a standard Carrick’s side are yet to approach.
United’s defensive rotation has been a constant. Carrick has been able to name the same back four only once this season, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw started in the 3-0 win over Ipswich at Old Trafford on August 30 and retained their places for the following match at Everton. Otherwise, consistency has proved elusive.
The fitness situation remains patchy. Carrick described his injury update before the Como game as “a mixed bag.” Notably, Matthijs de Ligt, out for 11 months due to a back injury that required surgery in May, was declared “fit and ready.” However, Martinez suffered a thigh injury against Leeds on Sunday, ruling him out of the trip to Italy. Carrick opted to play Noussair Mazraoui, a player usually deployed as a full-back, in central defence.
The defensive resources are stretched further as Leny Yoro is suspended. Shaw’s absence is more prolonged than expected; the left-back is out for longer than the 10 days Kobbie Mainoo will miss and is unlikely to return before the November international break.
Shaw’s injury issues expose a long-standing problem. United spoke to Manchester City about Algeria international Rayan Ait-Nouri on deadline day, signalling awareness of a potential gap. Shaw started all 38 Premier League games last season and the first three this term but has played just twice since. Dalot has been used as a left-back in five of the past six games, despite not being a natural in that position.
The use of young players at left-back has been uneven. After Lisandro Martinez’s post-match frustration following United’s defeat by Atletico Madrid, some pointed to 20-year-old Ayden Heaven playing out of position. However, sources noted Heaven had considerable experience at left-back from his youth days at Arsenal. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Harry Amass, Shaw’s pre-season stand-in, has made just one substitute appearance this season, suggesting coaches doubt his readiness for regular first-team action.
Carrick defended Amass’s place in the squad. “He’s right in contention,” Carrick said. “At some point, young players need an opportunity. It’s just finding the right time. Sometimes it’s because there’s an unfortunate thing happened to somebody else. Sometimes it’s just you’re doing so well we have to give you a chance. All the young players are in a similar boat. There’s maybe four, five, or six of them trying to make that next step in terms of getting into the team and trying to start games, and Harry’s definitely one of them.”
The failure to sign a proper left-back this summer has drawn criticism aimed at Carrick and sporting director Jason Wilcox. Wilcox faced a limited budget, which some agents say was insufficient to address United’s needs. The £50 million spent on Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, who sat beside Carrick during the press conference, has been questioned by some in the game as a misallocation of resources.
Carrick declined to engage in that debate. “When we’ve got injuries at different stages, we can always look at what could have been done and where we could have improved,” he 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. We had to make decisions in the summer. We did what we could do and made the best of it.”
United’s defensive issues and squad depth remain under close scrutiny as they prepare for Wednesday’s visit to Como. Carrick’s focus is on tightening the back line and turning performances into more clean sheets.
According to BBC Sports.
