Manchester United were beaten by Newcastle on Wednesday, with one Michael Carrick failure costing him his unbeaten run.
After an incredible seven-game unbeaten run, Manchester United lost 2-1 to Newcastle, and it was no more than what the Red Devils deserved.
The United players were poor, but so was Michael Carrick.
In particular, Carrick failed one test that previously managers have been held accountable for, and so must the current interim.
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Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League
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Michael Carrick should never have brought Tyrell Malacia on for Manchester United
There is no avoiding that United were really poor against Newcastle, but Carrick’s side were in control late on and looked more likely to score than concede.
A point wouldn’t have been a terrible result, but when Noussair Mazraoui went off, Carrick’s decision to substitute on Tyrell Malacia ultimately cost the three points.
Malacia looked completely out of his depth despite not being asked to do much, and for the Newcastle winner, he was embarrassingly poor, getting spun the complete wrong way.
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But Malacia shouldn’t have even been on the pitch.
The bench had Ayden Heaven and Godwill Kukonki, who would both have been better choices technically and defensively than Malacia.
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Michael Carrick instructs his players during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
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Both Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag would be slaughtered for this decision
Carrick’s decision to pick a player like Malacia, who has no future at the club, over Heaven and Kukonki was concerning and completely goes against what the club stands for.
It also sees Carrick make a decision few would have thought he would this time last month.
Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag would both have been heavily criticised for rejecting the chance to use youth and picking deadwood instead, so Carrick also needs to be called out.
Ten Hag used the likes of Sergio Reguilon and even Jonny Evans as a left-back instead of Alvaro Fernandez. While Amorim’s issues with the academy are well-documented.
Carrick needs to do better if he wants the job permanently, and using youth is a big part of the job at United. Hopefully, he learns from this, and we don’t see Malacia in the squad again.
It will only be an issue if he doesn’t learn.
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