Manchester United have endured a tough start to the Premier League season with just five points from as many matches.
The Red Devils had a fantastic end to the previous campaign as they qualified for the Champions League with a third-place league finish.
Under Michael Carrick’s interim charge, United took more points than Arsenal and Manchester City during the second half of the 2025/26 season.
It was anticipated that they could be potential challengers for the league title this term, having been handed an easier schedule to start with.
However, United have largely underperformed with five points from five matches and recently played out a 1-1 draw against Fulham on the road.
Following the draw, Sky Sports brought up some of the out-of-possession stats this campaign, and it was obviously a sour sight for any United fan.
United’s intensity and pressing off the ball were one of the main highlights when Carrick took charge in January, but there is a lack of it at the moment.
United currently rank 20th for distance at high intensity this term. The same is the case for time at high intensity, sprints as well as sprinting time.
The Red Devils have also spent 51.1% of time walking out of possession. They are ranked 17th in that statistic, which is another cause for concern.
United were also outrun by Fulham by a massive 6.5km yesterday. This was the second-highest difference with 11 players on the pitch for both teams during the ongoing league campaign.
Carrick was lauded for bringing the United DNA back to the club earlier this year. He got United playing an attacking brand of football. There was a tireless work rate with plenty of high pressing.
The preparations have not gone as planned this season, and the extended international break has probably come at the right time. The gap could act as a potential reset for United.
The Red Devils host Tottenham Hotspur after the internationals on October 10. Carrick will no doubt want to address the out-of-possession work rate before Spurs visit Old Trafford.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com