Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Michael Carrick is already under pressure after a poor performance was salvaged by a Matheus Cunha own goal, and he’s scripting his own downfall.
There is much to be said about how Michael Carrick has ripped up the template that gave him success last season, and how it has completely backfired.
However, making the team play more on the front foot was always the plan, it’s just that the execution has gone off the rails.
The irony is that Carrick’s downfall is being scripted due to his own call of unconditionally backing his pet project, who showed a new low vs Fulham.
Marcus Rashford is disturbing Man Utd’s balance
Before going into detail, it must be noted that Marcus Rashford’s personal form was fairly solid up until the Fulham game, even if the end product was missing.
However, after starting well in the first few games, the familiar habits had started returning, from his failure to track back, to missing easy chances when presented with them.
It’s a frustration Barcelona shared last season, as his highlight reel papered over the obvious cracks in his all-around game in Spain. Man Utd fans will resonate with that feeling now.
Carrick has started Rashford in every league game bar the opener, where he came on at half-time, and his performance levels have regressed slowly with each game.
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He completely disturbs the balance of the team by not tracking back, and his end product in the final third is as hit-and-miss as ever.
To compound matters, Matheus Cunha showed in his short cameo on the left wing that he’s a much better fit for that position than Rashford, but Carrick has hitched his wagon to the romantic homecoming narrative.
Carrick’s downfall will be unconditional Rashford backing
The only reason why people were cautiously optimistic about Rashford’s surprise return was due to Carrick’s presence in the dugout, and their expectations have been fulfilled to the detriment of the team.
As expected, Carrick has made Rashford the centrepiece of his team, but a flawed player cannot be the lynchpin of a perfect team.
This team has become a mirror image of who Rashford is as a player in scarily quick time. They are lethargic on the pitch, wasteful in the final third, come up with moments of magic, but are all-around inconsistent.
The playing style has changed, and that would have led to growing pains anyway, but that change has been accompanied by personnel wholly unsuited to playing that way.
Rashford still has a role to play for United, but it’s as a squad option off the bench. He is overpaid for that role, but that’s what he should be. Otherwise, Carrick’s pet project will script his downfall.