Michael Carrick’s description of Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Leeds as a “fresh start” has done little to ease concern over a side that has won only two of its 10 matches in all competitions this season.
Gary Neville called the result a “stepping stone”, but outside observers were left with a different assessment after another disjointed display at Elland Road.
United remain caught between signs of progress and repeated setbacks, with Carrick’s position under increasing pressure. Talk of a fresh beginning as early as October reflects the uncertainty around a club that appears to be only one poor result away from a full-blown crisis.
The sense of stability Carrick established at Old Trafford after replacing Ruben Amorim in January is beginning to fade, despite his belief that his team improved in Yorkshire. That a draw at Leeds is being framed as a positive result underlines how far expectations have fallen.
United again surrendered a lead, but their failure to collapse completely after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser was viewed as evidence in Carrick’s favour. In reality, their performance came in isolated spells rather than as a sustained effort.
Leeds controlled two significant periods, with United’s best phases coming in the first half, when Bryan Mbeumo scored, and for around 15 minutes after the interval. Daniel Farke said his side were the only team showing a real desire to win the match.
The statistics broadly supported the Leeds manager’s view. The hosts had 61% possession, recorded the higher expected goals figure, made more touches in the opposition penalty area, covered more ground, sprinted faster and produced 73 entries into the final third compared with United’s 59.
Playing without a recognised striker suited to Leeds’ structure, Carrick’s team struggled to establish a consistent rhythm. Diogo Dalot was their main source of creativity, rather than Bruno Fernandes, Mbeumo or Amad.
Carrick’s decision to alter his formation to match Leeds was another concern. It suggested United’s preferred system could have left them too easy to play through, particularly as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league all season.
Another difficult test
Carrick’s next challenge is a trip to Como in the Champions League, followed by a home game against Bournemouth, live on Sky Sports on Sunday. Neither fixture appears especially favourable for a team that has collected its fewest victories at this stage of a top-flight campaign for 40 years.
Carrick can only use the players available to him, but the squad remains unbalanced and short of confidence. Several of the players previously most trusted by the manager are also struggling for form.
Fernandes has been largely anonymous as captain, Harry Maguire has not provided the expected leadership, while outspoken defender Lisandro Martinez has done little to dispel the impression that he is operating outside the team’s discipline.
“I am encouraged by a lot of things. I think we can still have a really good season,” Carrick said after Sunday’s match.
However, the meaning of a “good season” at Manchester United has changed significantly. A run averaging one point per game is relegation form, and Carrick’s margin for error is rapidly shrinking.
Another decisive week now awaits the manager. If United fail to respond, their season could be in serious trouble before it has properly begun.
