The case for Michael Carrick's defence of Manchester United is weak. It is also insulting to some sections of supporters.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has had little to applaud so far this season (Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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The case for Michael Carrick's defence of Manchester United is weak. To the point of being insulting to certain sections of supporters, those in particular who experienced a time when winning was the minimum requirement of a United side.
Carrick described United's start to the season as "not that bad" after their late collapse against Everton, a game which saw them lose the lead not once but twice. The winner, of course, was a screamer six minutes into stoppage time from Ainsley Maitland-Niles on his debut - there's not much Carrick can do about that.
But what he can do something about is the perception people have of his approach to what is deemed acceptable at a club like United.
Because three games into the season, there is no escaping the fact there are more negatives than positives surrounding Carrick and his team. United are in the bottom half of the table. They have won one league game, lost to newly-promoted Hull City and dropped two more points at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In all three games, United have conceded two goals. Which, as Carrick should know, makes winning matches nigh on impossible at Premier League level.
Arsenal and Manchester City have conceded half this number between them, which explains why both of them sit at the top of the table. A place United continue to strive to be themselves, but more in hope than expectation. United are unlikely to come close this season. And this is the point which should concern supporters the most.
Being accepting of a draw at Everton wouldn't have been in the club's makeup in times gone by, but now seems embedded in its DNA. And Carrick is perpetuating it. Which serves to put more pressure on himself, ahead of a week he and the club craved last season, but now look ill-equipped to deal with. The Champions League is back at Old Trafford. Sabah FK are in town from Azerbaijan, bringing with them a giant banana skin. Following this, United have a visit from City, who have won three from three, despite failing to get out of second gear. It won't be a defining week for Carrick. He still has credit in the bank following an impressive six months as caretaker manager before getting the job on a permanent basis. But he is starting to spend some of it. Unlike his bosses, who failed to make a single signing on deadline day. So what would be a successful season for United? Opinions on this will vary. But the only ones which count belong to Carrick and those who run the club. And at present, accepting mediocrity suggests United will continue to do what they've now done for far too long, which is accept being second best.