Michael Carrick is not getting the easiest of starts to his tenure at Man Utd as City await, but unleashing one player in a new position should be his first move.
There is a lot of discussion over how Michael Carrick will set his team up, considering he will have less than three days of training to prepare for one of the toughest games in English football.
There are some no-brainer picks, like picking an in-form Benjamin Sesko, captain Bruno Fernandes, and Senne Lammens in goal.
Which Man Utd player do you believe will be the BIGGEST WINNER from Michael Carrick’s appointment?
If you like, let us know who will be biggest LOSER from the hire too….
Carrick style graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
However, to catch City off guard, he can unleash a player in a new position, which might even become a permanent solution. Luke Shaw will be key to making it work.
Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Amad celebrate
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Michael Carrick should have a new position for Amad
Amad has become somewhat of a loyal soldier at Manchester United, being benched by Erik ten Hag, used as an attacker by Ruud van Nistelrooy, before a stint at wing-back for Ruben Amorim.
He has made it work everywhere because of his work off the ball, his two-footedness, and his footballing intelligence.
As Carrick prepares to welcome both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad back from AFCON for the marquee Manchester Derby, he has a headache to solve.
More United News
With the wing-back position gone, fitting Amad and Mbeumo in the same XI is a challenge, but one worth solving because both players are gamechangers.
Enter Amad, again, ready to be unleashed in a new position, one that might end up suiting him even more in the long run.
As it stands, United have no natural left wingers, since Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha, and Bruno Fernandes all prefer to play inside.
Patrick Dorgu started there for Darren Fletcher, but he’s not a polished attacker, which means it’s tailor-made for Amad.
Amad’s two-footedness means playing on the left will keep his unpredictability intact, as he can run to the byline and cut inside in equal measure.
He can also float and exchange positions with Bruno Fernandes at No. 10 in a fluid attacking setup, making a trio of Amad-Fernandes-Mbeumo behind a striker a force to be reckoned with.
But that will happen only if Luke Shaw is at the top of his game.
Luke Shaw will be key to Amad’s transformation
For Amad to flourish on the left wing while maintaining most of the tendencies that make him such a brilliant player, he will need help from the teammate behind him.
TalkingPoints TV: Should Michael Carrick get a serious shot at becoming permanent Man Utd manager?
🗣Your comments could feature in the next video, make your voice heard!
Featuring…
📋 Michael Carrick’s top priorities
📈 How many wins Carrick needs
🏆 Winners and losers
❌ Ole misses out
⚽ Carrick’s playing days
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Amad might start off the left, but he does his best work nearer to the box in central areas instead of functioning as a traditional winger.
Fortunately, Michael Carrick’s style of play facilitates this perfectly, as long as Luke Shaw takes on the dynamic role of an overlapping full-back.
Carrick’s lopsided full-back system needs one full-back to overlap with regularity, while the other tucks in to form a back three in possession.
Shaw needs to be on it all the time so that the left wing is never left empty in the wider areas because that is a crucial role.
He will be crucial to provide width in those areas once Amad works close to Fernandes/Mbeumo/No. 9, who could be Benjamin Sesko or Mbeumo, depending upon the opponent.
If Shaw can overlap with regularity, while also utilising Amad’s skills in give-and-go passes, a problem position on the left wing suddenly becomes one of the most unique tactical conundrums to solve for opponents.
Shaw and Amad’s synergy will be crucial to any success Carrick might have at Old Trafford.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox