REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Manchester United suffered a damaging 1-0 defeat to a ten-man Manchester City in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, with Erling Haaland's strike just after the hour mark awarded after a VAR review, proving the difference.
Despite City playing with ten men for over an hour following Phil Foden's red card, Michael Carrick's side couldn't find a way through, and he was left venting his frustration at the officials after full-time.
With just one win from their opening four Premier League games, this was a result that leaves plenty of uncomfortable questions hanging over Old Trafford so early into the season.
Why Couldn't Manchester United Turn Their Advantage Into Goals?
Reuters
For over an hour, United had a man advantage and territorial dominance to match, yet couldn't find the breakthrough their control deserved. Marcus Rashford's first-half effort came back off the post, but beyond that moment, chances were few and far between against a City side set up purely to survive. It's a problem that's dogged Carrick's side all season, and questions will now turn to whether his attacking setup lacks the creativity and clinical nature needed to break down organised, deep-lying defences, even when the numbers are heavily in United's favour.
Foden gets sent off vs Man United
Foden gets sent off vs Man United
A change in approach may be overdue. Carrick could look at getting Bruno Fernandes into more advanced, central areas rather than deploying him in the free role he appears to have right now, allowing Bryan Mbeumo to stretch the play wide and create the space United lacked against a compact City block.
Bringing on a more direct outlet could also do them favours, Benjamin Sesko could offer a bigger presence in the box could present a better option when it comes to crosses and cutbacks.
The injured Amad Diallo will offer much-needed creativity when he returns from injury, too. The Ivorian was one of United's most creative players before heading off to the African Cup of Nations last season, only behind Bruno Fernandes for key passes, shot-creating actions and big chances created.
Persisting with the same shape for over an hour without adjusting, even as City sat deeper and deeper, suggests Carrick may need to build more in-game flexibility into his substitutions and tactical tweaks going forward, rather than waiting until it's too late to change course.
How Long Can Carrick Survive Without Results?
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Carrick's post-match focus on the officiating decision over Haaland's goal will do little to mask the bigger picture: United have now won just once in four league games, following a defeat to Hull City and a draw with Everton, and a 5-2 win against Ipswich before this loss. While reports suggest the board remain patient for now, voices like Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville have already begun questioning whether Carrick can be backed indefinitely if performances don't sharpen up quickly, particularly with Champions League football adding further strain to the season ahead.
A custom image of Manchester United's Andy Cole, Bobby Charlton and Rasmus Hojlund
A custom image of Manchester United's Andy Cole, Bobby Charlton and Rasmus Hojlund
The most obvious fix is simply results, and Carrick has a winnable fixture against Fulham just before the international break to steady the ship before scrutiny intensifies further.
Trusting his summer signings to bed in faster, potentially through more settled team selection rather than rotation, could help build the consistency United have lacked so far. Carrick may also benefit from managing external noise better, keeping the focus on performances rather than getting drawn into public disputes with officials, which risk shifting attention away from fixable issues within his own control and onto matters he cannot influence.