Manchester United: The tactics that Michael Carrick hopes can fix the club

Carrick’s first two games as United manager represent a tough challenge, against the two best teams in the league currently, Manchester City and Arsenal.

At Middlesbrough, Carrick was reluctant to change his system, as he looked to control the game through high possession.

When he was United’s interim coach in 2021, he faced off against Thomas Tuchel, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, winning twice and drawing once, changing the system in a practical way in every match.

The most significant change was how his United side neutralized Tuchel’s Chelsea with a 4-3-1-2 defensive style that clogged the midfield. Speaking on Match of the Day earlier this season, Carrick said his logic was to deny access to Tuchel’s midfield two because their advance was usually through the middle.

United’s narrow front three blocked passes to Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek while physical midfielders Scott McTominay and Fred tracked and pressed Chelsea’s wing-backs.

To ensure United keep three players in midfield when McTominay or Fred is pressing, the other two midfielders will move and the far forward will drop back.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and Chelsea’s only goal came from a penalty kick.

With just two games to play this month, there is a chance Carrick could change his style from the one he used weekly at Middlesbrough in order to negate Arsenal and Manchester City’s biggest strengths, as he did when he first took charge of United.