Manchester United have got off to a slow start in the Premier League and Michael Carrick has a problem that must be fixed if he wants to challenge at the top
Gary Neville
Gary Neville is worried about Manchester United's defence(Image: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Manchester United have a problem. The season is only three games old, but they're not winning enough games and conceding too many goals.
It's a dangerous combination, particularly with the schedule set to kick into gear with the addition of midweek Champions League matches. Michael Carrick will have to work quickly to find solutions.
United have struggled to show control in their opening matches, a hallmark of the previous regime. Carrick was able to overcome that deficiency last term but now faces the prospect of implementing a more sustainable solution.
The club overhauled their midfield this summer. The additions of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba will be tasked with ensuring some solidity in the centre of the pitch. Are they the players for the job?
Tielemans was the only one of the trio to start against Everton, and his combination with Kobbie Mainoo may offer some smart passing, but it did not scream solidity. Santos may have more ball-winning prowess, but the Brazilian also has an inclination for building play rather than being a protector.
Of course, tempo-setting is a crucial part of exhibiting control; Carrick could be considered a master of it in many respects during his playing career. United simply might not be good enough to rely on dominance as a defensive measure for the time being.
Only four Premier League sides have allowed more shots on target than United. Something needs to be fixed if they want to challenge at the top.
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While Everton's efforts were from distance, United made it too easy for them. Gary Neville noted that Dorgu's sprint forward allowed the Toffees in down the left before Santos not getting across ensured that Leny Yoro's position was put under scrutiny on the way to Ainsley Maitland-Niles bagging an equaliser.
Neville's worry is that United can't escape this fate. 'I don't think it's going to go away and that's my big fear," he said.
"I think conceding goals is going to chase them and hunt them down the road and I don't know how Michael deals with it because he's got his best back four on the pitch."
Perhaps that in itself is part of the problem. A defence relies on the dependable. United's options are fine, but no more than that.
Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw started against Everton. "Teams think they've got a chance against them," Neville said.
Indeed, United lack an imposing figure. Maguire perhaps comes closest, and given that previous managers have tried to move on from the 33-year-old, it is probably a concern.
Harry Maguire
Manchester United's defence was left deflated after Everton's equaliser(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Carrick's defensive selection was present during Erik ten Hag’s reign in 2022. It hints at stagnation.
There is no obvious answer available with the youth of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven still learning their trade, Noussair Mazraoui offering a like-for-like swap for Dalot and Matthijs de Ligt still on the injury list.
But Carrick's backline also needs help from the rest of the team. Any defender is vulnerable when exposed.
"Obviously we can't ignore it," Carrick said about Maitland-Niles' equaliser. 'We need to concede fewer goals to give us a better chance of winning games. We'll certainly look at that and keep improving."
The only obvious remaining adjustment is Carlos Baleba's introduction to the team when he is available. The former Brighton player will be tasked with offering some protection for United's backline, upon which they can begin to build their reputation.
System and personnel need to marry before defensive reinforcements next summer can have any additional impact.
United's defensive issues won't go away, Neville is right. But if they can confine their issues to fewer occasions, it will help ensure they have a platform to secure points by conceding fewer than they score.