Manchester United have made a notable change to the way their academy teams operate under Michael Carrick, with the Under-21s now following a system much closer to that of the first team.
According to Chris Wheeler on X, the youth sides previously did not have to follow the same game model under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. That meant young players could find the transition into senior football more difficult when they eventually moved up.
That approach has now changed.
United academy mirrors Michael Carrick system
The Manchester United Under-21s have switched from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1 this season, with Adam Lawrence also using a false nine in the system.
There are clear similarities with the way Michael Carrick has set up his senior side. Matheus Cunha has been used as the false nine for the first team, while Amir Ibragimov has taken on a similar role for the Under-21s.
JJ Gabriel, meanwhile, has been operating in the No.10 position, mirroring the role occupied by Bruno Fernandes in Carrick’s team.
The idea should give United’s younger players a clearer understanding of what will be expected of them if they make the jump to the first team.
Michael Carrick and Steve Holland have also continued to attend Under-21 and Under-18 matches, maintaining a close eye on the club’s academy players.
For United, the change is about more than simply copying a formation. Having the youth teams work within a similar structure could make the pathway to senior football more straightforward for the club’s most promising youngsters.
It also gives Carrick and his staff a better opportunity to identify players who can eventually fit into the first-team setup. That could prove important as United look to make greater use of their academy in the coming years.
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