Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
The mood has changed around Manchester United, and Michael Carrick was brutally exposed by Enzo Maresca after the derby loss.
The feeling of helplessness was palpable around Man Utd despite having a man advantage, and the baffling VAR call doesn’t excuse the performance.
Michael Carrick has a lot of questions to answer after that performance, referee display aside, and the biggest one of all was posed by City manager Enzo Maresca after the game.
It has left Carrick exposed, and answers are needed soon.
Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League 2026/27
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I wish I could share your optisim and have faith in your tac tics....I still don't think this team is good enough.. it does pain me to say but let's stop sugar coating..this is the start of the season and we are failing miserably.. 😭
I actually think the team is good enough. The problem is the decision making both in the starting 11, and in game management. Why didn't Sesko start the 2nd half? Why was he brought on for a midfielder? Why do all of our defenders think they are centre forwards? Go back to 4-4-2 and start with positional awareness. Clean sheets mean you don't loose!
Enzo Maresca breaks down Michael Carrick’s limitation
The holes in this United team have been obvious for a while now, but the opposing managers have so far acted on it, instead of breaking them down.
When the latter happens, it is time to get really worried, because that comes from a lack of respect and fear.
Maresca took the first step towards making that happen for Carrick, as he brutally broke down Carrick’s limitations after the game.
He was asked about how his team’s approach changed after Phil Foden’s red card, and while he acknowledged he had to make some changes, his smirk said a different story.
Maresca went on to explain that the game changed for United too, as a team that is dangerous only on transitions had to learn to play with the ball after City’s sending-off.
He said: “Phil Foden’s red card didn’t just change the game for us, but also for them. Because they are very good in transition and attacking space in behind. The game became more difficult for them.”
As a result, United looked clueless, and City did what United have done to them often in victories.
They kept a secure defensive structure and made the most of their fleeting chances to win all three points.
Maresca’s words are a slippery slope for Carrick
Last season, United were looked at as a vulnerable outfit, so they caught teams off guard and picked them off on transitions.
Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and was interfering with play 😡
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Then they had Casemiro to break open teams sitting in a block, which allowed them to go back to their transition-based play while in the lead.
This season, United are looked at as a threat again, and Casemiro’s departure has ended set-piece threat as well.
Opposing managers know they are always in the game as long as they cede possession to United and sit in a resolute shape, because United can’t break them down.
Anything can happen on transitions then, which is what City made full use of to escape Old Trafford with all three points.
A slippery slope for Carrick has begun where he needs to answer this question, or go the way all his predecessors have.