REUTERS
Manchester United should have addressed more positions of need during the summer transfer window, but their recruitment failings do not explain the poor start to the season.
United did manage to recruit three midfielders, which was the main point of emphasis going into the summer, especially with the loss of Casemiro, but they came up short in strengthening at left-back and up top, which were major recruitment failings from the Old Trafford club.
The Red Devils have just one senior out-and-out left-back in Luke Shaw, who is 31 years of age and with a plagued injury past, and their striker options are not up to the standards United should hold. Matheus Cunha is not a natural striker, while Joshua Zirkzee has never convinced, and Benjamin Sesko is the best option, but even he has repeatedly struggled during his time at the club.
The Shaw situation has already been an issue, with the England international having missed the last couple of weeks before the Fulham game, meaning winger Patrick Dorgu had to fill in there, and he has his shortcomings when playing out of position at full-back.
Man Utd results so far
Hull 2-0 Man Utd
Man Utd 5-2 Ipswich Town
Everton 2-2 Man Utd
Man Utd 4-0 Sabah (UCL)
Man Utd 0-1 Man City
Man Utd 2-3 Brighton (Carabao Cup)
Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
So, let's be clear, United's recruitment efforts fell short of where they should have been, and the current situation is not all on Carrick.
But how many times will fans fall victim to the recruitment excuses? Sure, United have some gaps, but don't you think Hull City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United or Everton have gaps? Those are all teams above United.
Brighton are currently third but have nine players out injured. Do they not have gaps?
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
It's nice to have a complete squad, but very few managers have one, especially at the level of talent United have elsewhere in their squad. Yet we see teams like Bournemouth and Sunderland doing superbly last season, like Brighton doing well consistently.
Smaller clubs are expected to make do with what they have, but when it comes to clubs like United, is it suddenly not Carrick's fault that his team have won one of their first five because there is no elite striker and no ideal left-back deputy?
Those issues are valid excuses for not winning the title, perhaps even for missing out on the top four. But they are not valid excuses for not beating Fulham, Brighton, Everton and Hull City. The United board know that, so it does no one any good to make excuses on behalf of Carrick, who will know himself that he cannot afford to make any excuses. He has to deliver, whatever he is working with.
Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans