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Carrick, Maguire, transfers and style - Man United questions answered

Our senior Manchester United writer Tyrone Marshall answers your questions on the club and what is going on at Old Trafford.

We've answered your questions in our latest Manchester United Q and A

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Michael Carrick saw his unbeaten run as Manchester United head coach come to an end on Wednesday night, when his side lost 2-1 to Newcastle at St James' Park.

Carrick looked disappointed in his players after the game, with United failing to press home a man advantage for the entire second half and losing to William Osula's stunning individual goal in the final minute.

Despite that setback, United remain third in the Premier League and on course to return to the Champions League next season, although that race is now hotting up and Aston Villa visit Old Trafford next week.

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Although United aren't in action this weekend, there is still plenty on the agenda. Carrick's future is no longer as clear cut as it seemed and transfer talk is hotting up, with the head coach revealing United are likely to target a left-winger in the summer. We've answered some of your questions below.

We run weekly question and answer sessions, so click here to submit your questions, and we'll answer them next week. Here are the answers to some of this week's questions:

I think Carrick carries the spirit of Sir Alex Ferguson. Is there any reason he shouldn't get the job on a permanent basis?

To be fair, this question was submitted about two hours before kick-off on Wednesday night. It's interesting to consider now in the wake of what happened at St James' Park.

I'm writing this on Friday lunchtime and we haven't had any questions since the defeat to Newcastle that raise concerns about Carrick's appointment or ask about alternatives, which suggests the first loss in eight games for Carrick is being kept in context.

United insist the process to appoint a new head coach will be thorough, but Carrick is rightly the favourite. One defeat at Newcastle shouldn't cost him the job and he was never going to get through the rest of the season without losing a game.

But it does raise some questions now. How United respond against Villa will be fascinating, as will how Carrick deals with some of the issues being presented at the minute, more on which below.

Why is Malacia not being involved in games, even in the last 10 minutes as a sub?

Another one that came in before Wednesday, but still worth looking at. Malacia didn't cover himself in glory at St James' Park and he got his body in a terrible position when Osula ran at him.

But the point about now playing is a valid one. Before Wednesday, he had one minute of first-team football to his name this season, and a game and a half for the Under-21s in Premier League 2, the last of which was on January 26.

So to chuck him in at the end of a frantic Premier League game wasn't really helping anybody. Malacia's year has been an odd one, he barely gets a kick at United, but they haven't really helped to move him on either. Wednesday was evidence that it's been a mistake on all parties.

The question I have with Carrick is the intensity; the lack of speed in the final third is a concern?

The attack has looked a little flat recently. I think there is an issue over the width and that will be addressed in the summer. Carrick basically said this week that they need to sign a left-winger.

Cunha is determined to come inside from the left and it is often too congested in the centre, which makes it difficult to play at pace. When United could counter early on under Carrick, they looked good. The past few weeks have been a bit more stodgy.

Should Harry Maguire be given a contract for the next two seasons?

I totally agree with this. Maguire has been excellent under Carrick, and with De Ligt still out and Martinez looking injury-prone, United can't afford to lose him.

De Ligt has complained of feeling pain in his back on a couple of occasions when he has been a close to a return, which isn't a great sign. He was in good form at the start of the season, but that feels a long time ago now.

Maguire is still a commanding centre-back and his experience is invaluable. United will want him to take a pay cut from a salary of around £190,000-a-week, but to offset that, Maguire is likely to want two years.

He turned 33 on Thursday, so that would take him past his 35th birthday, but he still looks more than capable of doing a job for this club.

Why aren't United dominating games and why don't they have a definable style of play?

I agree with both statements, but I also think it's not an issue that affects only United. This Premier League season has been low on quality.

It's set-piece heavy, and even in open play, games are defined by duels and individual battles. It is all about physicality and there is very little space for players to play in.

That makes it hard for teams to have a defined style of play. Arsenal have adjusted to the approach, but they aren't good to watch. City have games where they look good, but many more when it is a battle and the matches are tight.

So no, I don't think United do have a defined style of play yet under Carrick, but unless it's about set-pieces and duels, no team in the league does this season. I would cut him some slack on that front.

How many signings are we going to make in the summer transfer window?

The (hundreds of millions) dollar question. Part of the answer probably depends on whether United qualify for the Champions League or not, but I would expect at least two central midfielders, a left-winger and maybe another defender, as well as a back-up goalkeeper.

There might be more if the budget is bigger than expected and some of it will depend on outgoings or sales, but I think those positions mentioned above will be the priority. I would say at least four new signings, maybe five. Higher than that would probably be a surprise.

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