Looking at Manchester United’s loss to Leeds, it’s hard to pinpoint what actually went well.
The 2-1 defeat was not the way we envisioned United’s return after the 24-day break, which was no doubt a factor in the sloppy performance.
Here are three things that really shocked me about Manchester United’s loss, and one reason I saw to be positive…
DEFEAT to Leeds – What is your INSTANT REACTION?
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Carrick outdone tactically for the first time
Did the loss shock me? Not necessarily. We have seen United come out flat before after the breaks. But that was under Ruben Amorim.
This was Michael Carrick’s second defeat, and his first at home. What stood out to me early was not just United looking flat, but tactically exposed.
Daniel Farke set Leeds up with a better gameplan. They made better use of wide areas and made a point of putting crosses into the box to test United’s defence. It paid off.
Manchester United were caught out, and honestly, Leeds could have scored four by half-time. We were that bad.
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It was the first time I have seen Michael Carrick and his coaching staff outfoxed by an opposing manager.
It was eyebrow-raising to say the least. A lesson to be learned.
Michael Carrick in suit for Manchester United
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Do you agree with Michael Carrick – Should Leeds’ first goal have been ruled out?
Carrick was fuming after the game
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How badly off the pace United’s attackers looked
I was concerned and taken aback by just how hesitant and off their games United’s attackers looked in the first half.
Benjamin Sesko had a great chance to equalise and failed to take advantage, while Amad never looks like scoring these days.
Matheus Cunha looked threatening at times but in small doses, while Bryan Mbeumo did not offer enough when he came on.
As usual it was up to Casemiro to score, and he could have had a second. Where would we be without him?
I get it, the players have been away for 24 days, but I expected better than this. Where are the goals coming from?
Why have the goals dried up? Who is going to go on a scoring run?
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Substitutions took far too long – why?
This was a game where Michael Carrick might have needed to take more decisive action.
After the worst 45 minutes under his management so far, Carrick made no changes at half-time. That was unexpected.
I was certain that by the hour mark we would see substitutions. Instead it took until the 70th minute.
Carrick will look back and wonder whether he could have done anything differently. This felt like a time where indecision took over, and he put too much faith in the players he started with.
Bruno Fernandes’ assist was the only positive – Will he break the record?
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On the positive side – I saw something to be optimistic about
OK, let’s finish on a positive note. I did feel that by the end of the game, United had rediscovered something.
The final 20-25 minutes, United played with fire, with some zip about them, and defended decisively.
There were chances to equalise, and while we did not make the breakthrough and rescue a point, it felt better to see us creating them.
This game was effectively a ‘free hit’ for United. We still sit in third place, and will probably secure Champions League qualification.
After the long break, this was a game to shake off the rustiness. And by the 90th minute, our players finally looked up to speed again.
If we play against Chelsea like we did for the final 20 minutes against Leeds, we will be fine. That is the spirit we need to play with until the end of the season.
If this game was about finding form, then we found it by the end.
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