Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Michael Carrick was eager to write off Man Utd’s draw against Everton as being down to two wondergoals, but he would know there’s a deeper problem.
The number of times Man Utd have conceded wonderstrikes is too many to count, so please spare a thought for Senne Lammens.
However, once or twice is an exception, but when it happens with alarming regularity, there is a deeper reason behind it.
Against Everton, part of that reason was clear upon seeing Patrick Dorgu’s role in Everton’s late equaliser.
Patrick Dorgu and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United speak to Referee Darren England during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Manchester United at MKM Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Hull, England.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
What are your early thoughts on United right now? Is there a KEY change Carrick needs to make? What is it?
Or does the team just need consistent selection, for the players to play themselves into form?
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He must not change a team that is doing well and don't make unnecessary changes to the team
Martinez is committing kindergarten errors like the second goal gift for Ipswich. Again Carrick knows that Shaw doesn't have pace and energy, yet ke kept playing him and opposing teams target that side to wreck havoc on United. Now we need to play Hyden and Yoro more game time. We can't be conceding goals same way we are scoring.
We need a strong striker to feed off assists from Rashford. Fernandez and Cunha and stick the ball in the back of the net, which will more than compensate for our defensive woes.
Patrick Dorgu led an incoherent defensive system vs Everton
The success of Michael Carrick last season was based on a solid mid-block that settled back into shape quickly once the initial press failed.
For that to happen, players need to retreat into position instead of becoming lone warriors, because that creates gaps in the block.
That is what happened against Everton, as United, defending a 2-1 lead, somehow thought it was a good idea to press their goalkeeper.
Jordan Pickford was going to play it quickly anyway since they were trailing, but Dorgu pressed ahead aimlessly and ended up being out of position.
The goal came from Everton’s right-back in acres of space, which is not a coincidence, because while Luke Shaw had retreated into the shape, Dorgu was busy pressing ahead.
It created a massive space for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and he unleashed a rocket straight past Lammens.
That shot still doesn’t go in nine times out of ten, but if you’re conceding that shot ten times over two games, then you’re going to concede at least once.
Therein lies the problem with Carrick’s defensive system, especially this season.
Michael Carrick needs to commit to an out of possession style
Harry Maguire said before the season began that United are trying to play on the front foot this season, and that is bound to come with some headaches.
United’s backline and midfield are not known for their pace, so there will be times when the initial press fails, and there is space behind them.
However, if that is a risk Carrick is willing to take, then he must commit to it.
Currently, United are stuck between pressing high and retreating into a block, which opens up acres of space between those pressing high and those retreating.
This happened last season as well, and it’s time to recognise that it’s not a coincidence that United keep conceding rockets.
We remember them because we don’t expect to see them often, but United concede those types of shots all the time due to Carrick not committing to either out-of-possession system.