Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
There is a lot of negativity surrounding Manchester United following a disappointing start to the season. At least Michael Carrick can see positives amidst the uproar.
The mood around Old Trafford is pretty flat after a below-par run to start the 2026/27 season. Michael Carrick is under fire after Manchester United won two of their first six matches.
As per usual, the media are out with their pitchforks, looking to make a mountain out of a molehill. Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa tried to compare the pressure he’s under to that of the United head coach, which was humorous, to say the least.
However, the criticism isn’t solely aimed at Carrick. Some of the players are getting it too for not performing at the required standard as a whole. Criticism is inevitable at this level whenever results aren’t good enough.
Fulham are yet to win a Premier League game so far this season ⚠️
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Imamo fudbalere koji su fizicki nespremni, losa kondicija, skromno znanje fudbalskih vjestina,pocinju svaku utakmicu kao starteri ,jedva se micu po terenu,nevidim kako cemo dalje ako strucni stab, ne pronadje rjesenje za probleme..
The problem is far deeper routed than that. The players are all professionals, but they just don't play as a cohesive unit. I keep saying it, but the biggest problem is the defenders. They all bomb forward past the midfield and produce absolutely nothing. Leave attacking to the forwards, and start doing the day job.
Michael Carrick defends Leny Yoro from criticism
Many have argued that it’s a big season for Leny Yoro to finally show why United spent so much money to bring him to Old Trafford at a young age.
The same could be said for Ayden Heaven, although the English centre-back arrived at United from Arsenal for a mere £1.5m. A peanuts fee for a defender who has shown plenty of promise in the first team.
United lost 3-2 against Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. The centre-back pairing that night was Yoro and Heaven.
At Carrick’s press conference on Friday afternoon, the journalists quizzed the head coach on Yoro’s form and whether he has this season to prove himself at the club. The boss was adamant in his response that this couldn’t be further from the truth as he’s backing the young French defender to have a bright future at the club.
“No, he’s 20, Leny, you know?” Carrick told reporters.
“And again, in context, he’s got a fantastic future ahead of him and a lot of potential, and he’s learning, he’s developing.
“To be at this club in place as a centre-back at such a young age, it’s a challenging position. It’s one that he can do for sure, it’s one that Ayden can do for sure, but there’s no cut-off point. Some players progress and find when they’re 18, they’re at that level where they can really perform. Some players, like Leny, showed he can perform. I’ve got no worries for Leny. I think he does a lot of really good things and it’s part of learning.
“Sometimes it might be 20, sometimes you see players 22, 23, 24 where they start developing. So there’s definitely no cut-off point. He’s just got to keep progressing and moving in the right direction, wanting to learn, keep improving, getting more opportunities. He’s doing a lot of good things, and I think we’ve got to be careful again, and I certainly won’t [be] making knee-jerk decisions on certain players just because of one game or one half or one moment in a game, and we’ve got a lot of belief in Leny for sure.”
⚡️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
Michael Carrick is confident Leny Yoro can be a success at Manchester United
Yoro doesn’t have just this season to prove himself at Old Trafford, with long-term plans made for the French defender at Old Trafford
The club has plenty of belief in Yoro
Have we nailed it? Or would you make some changes to this XI?
Leny Yoro can benefit from working with Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate
The journalists at Friday’s press conference asked more questions about Yoro.
Not all were negative, mind. Carrick was asked whether it is helpful for Yoro to have Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate to learn from. Both coaches played at the highest level for many years. Now, they’re part of Carrick’s backroom staff.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of experience,” he added.
“Listen, Leny’s fortunate; he’s got some really good coaches that have lived it and understand his position. Leny’s got a big future ahead of him and learning, and sometimes learning live, in the moment.
“Sometimes it’s tough, other times he’s done particularly well. So, he’ll keep developing. He’ll keep developing, he’ll keep learning. He’s in a good place. He’s got a big future.”
Yoro will be hoping to get a run in the team at some point this season to prove himself and build on some consistency. He has made four appearances for United this season, amassing 202 minutes of action, and was also called up to the France U20 national team this week.