Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Michael Carrick faces a crunch fixture against Fulham, and his Shea Lacey decision for that game will say a lot about his suitability for Man Utd.
Gone are the days when Michael Carrick could do no wrong as the interim manager of Manchester United.
Today, he needs to prove that he can do something right, as his decisions and tactics keep backfiring in a season that has started straight from Man Utd fans‘ worst nightmares.
One such decision he needs to show is with Shea Lacey, especially after a recent injury blow to his squad.
Michael Carrick must start Shea Lacey vs Fulham
In that embarrassing defeat against Brighton at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup, Shea Lacey was the only player who emerged with his reputation enhanced.
Even beyond scoring on his first start for Man Utd, Lacey was electric throughout, not letting the malaise of his teammates affect his own effort on the pitch.
Despite impressing in the No. 10 position during pre-season, Lacey started on the right, and his playing style was on full display with his goal – a trademark shot after cutting inside on his left foot.
Lacey has done more than enough to warrant his continued inclusion in the starting XI with Fulham up next. As it turns out, Carrick’s decision has been made easier as well.
Benjamin Sesko was not seen with the travelling squad for the Fulham game, which means a spot opens up in the attack. Michael Carrick has used Matheus Cunha as his striker so far, an experiment that hasn’t given positive results.
With Lacey’s form, the attacking trio in the next game is a no-brainer. Keep Marcus Rashford on the left, restore Bryan Mbeumo up top, where he powered most of Carrick’s best wins as interim manager last season, and continue with Lacey on the right.
It will also restore Cunha in his best role, as the closer off the bench or a tricky presence to handle for defenders late in the game.
If Carrick is feeling adventurous, he can even bring back the attack which functioned so well last season, but that would require dropping Rashford for Cunha, which doesn’t look like happening.
Either way, Lacey’s presence on the right should be a no-brainer, with there being room for adjustments elsewhere. If Lacey loses his place after such an exciting performance, Carrick will send a message that meritocracy doesn’t matter, and experience will always win out. It would be a scared decision by a manager under pressure.
That is not the Manchester United way.