Manchester United will look to bounce back with a win in the Manchester derby against Manchester City after being held to a draw at Everton
Michael Carrick
Man United have come under criticism for their summer transfer business(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Paul Merson has delivered a scathing verdict on Manchester United's transfer window, arguing that the club's recruitment has left Michael Carrick with a squad lacking depth and a defence that has fallen well short of the required level ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby. Three midfielders arrived over the summer, yet the left‑back position saw no additions despite late enquiries.
Luke Shaw is the only senior left‑back available, with 19-year-old Harry Amass the only natural back-up. That has left United short in the position, especially with Patrick Dorgu being used further forward.
It means Carrick is heavily reliant on the 31‑year‑old, whose fitness has already been managed carefully so far this campaign, and any setback would force United into makeshift solutions across the back line. Six goals have already been conceded in just three Premier League games.
In his latest Sky Sports column, Merson has highlighted the club's transfer business and their inconsistency in games so far - describing Sunday's match as a 'defining one' despite it being early in the season.
The former Arsenal man wrote: "Man Utd have got the Manchester derby - and their season is in the balance too. If you beat Man City, you're flying. If you get beat by Man City, here we go again. It would be one point from two games including the Everton game and other teams are winning around you.
"I've said all along: I don't think Man United have bought very well. The squad isn't big enough. It's nowhere near enough. Defensively they're nowhere near good enough. They let in two goals against Everton - and they were two good goals, but one of them was from the edge of the box. Everybody's behind the ball.
"When you're winning, put another forward on. Don't take a forward off and put a defender on. Don't give that team the opportunity. Instead, if you put a forward on for a midfielder or a forward, it changes the game completely. If you're the other manager, you think: 'Oh no, what am I going to do?'.
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"Instead, Man United just invited pressure on. Just don't do that, especially if you're a big team. If you're Coventry and you go in front at Everton, you of course put a defender on 100%. But when you're Man Utd, I don't see the need to do that. If you're dictating the game, Everton don't get that chance for Ainsley Maitland-Niles."
Merson also voiced concern for the Reds, saying that was the reason he left Carrick's side out of his top five this season. "I am worried - and this is why I didn't put Manchester United in my top five at the start of the season," he continued.
"Nothing's changed for me since then. When you draw games, it hurts you."
Merson has backed his former club Arsenal to lift the title for a second successive season, with Liverpool finishing as runners‑up. He then named Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham in his top five, placing United down in sixth.