Michael Carrick charging the troops
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Gary Neville hasn’t been impressed with Leny Yoro, who has been fielded at right-back in Manchester United’s game against Bournemouth.
In what could well be his last game in charge, Michael Carrick decided to ring the changes in his starting lineup, dropping his captain Bruno Fernandes, who publicly questioned his tactics in the aftermath of Wednesday’s defeat to Como.
Matheus Cunha was also relegated to the bench after a reported heated argument with Carrick at half-time in midweek.
However, the manager’s tweaks didn’t pay dividends, at least based on the first half’s outcome.
Neville insists Leny Yoro shouldn’t play at right-back
LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Leny Yoro of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on October 18, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Leny Yoro of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on October 18, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Bournemouth were the superior side throughout the first 45 minutes, and they eventually found the opening through Rayan, who got on the end of Justin Kluivert’s free kick and placed his shot past Senne Lammens.
Four minutes later, Yoro slipped while trying to clear the ball, allowing his compatriot Adrien Truffert to feed Marcus Tavernier, who doubled the visitors’ lead with a simple tap-in.
Don't play a centre back at right back, but that is unforgivably amateurish from Yoro. Some are heading for the exits. Suspect some won't be returning. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 25, 2026
Yoro, who is originally a centre-back, is being fielded at right-back, while Diogo Dalot switched to the left side in the absence of Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu.
During his appearance on Sky Sports, Neville insisted the Frenchman has no business playing at full-back.
“The boos ring out. Yoro loses his footing. Truffert keeps him honest. Simple pass for Tavernier, who slots it into an open goal,” said the former Man Utd captain when commenting on the second goal.
“This is a nightmare for Manchester United. It’s a real problem for Carrick. Yoro at right-back is awful.”
Sky also noted how Carrick was ‘fuming’ while heading to the tunnel at half-time.
Why Carrick fielded Yoro on the right side
Michael Carrick on the sidelines
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
In Carrick’s defence, the management failed to bolster his full-back department in the summer, forcing him to resort to fallback solutions, like fielding Yoro at right-back and switching Dalot to the other side.
This isn’t to say that the 45-year-old tactician shouldn’t be held culpable for the team’s ongoing misery, but the club’s biggest issues all stem from the ownership and the top hierarchy, who have failed to back a head coach despite showing great promise last season.
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