How Carrick’s Man Utd Are Shaping Up for Premier League Season

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United are one of the most intriguing teams in the Premier League this season. Gone is the slow, possession-heavy football; instead, Carrick is embracing a bold approach that combines fast attacks with controlled possession.

A key principle behind Carrick’s tactics is building out from the back through short passes. This is a departure from previous managers like Ruben Amorim, who opted for a more long-ball approach to avoid the risks associated with short passing under intense pressure. Carrick believes United’s players are capable of taking on this challenge and creating opportunities through quick interplay between defenders and midfielders.

The 4-2-4 formation has been a key part of United’s pre-season preparations, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens playing in a more advanced role than usual. This allows for flexibility in attack and creates space for the front four to play fluidly. Notably, Carrick emphasizes individual responsibility among players to interpret the game and create clusters of three players making decisions quickly.

The signings of technical midfielders like Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Mason Mount have helped United implement this style of play. These players are not just about maintaining possession; they’re also capable of creating opportunities through their movement and passing range. Kobbie Mainoo’s return to action has added another dimension to the midfield.

However, there are potential pitfalls to this high-risk strategy. Against AC Milan, United struggled to build up a solid platform in possession, with turnovers leading to counter-attacks that exposed their backline. Carrick’s desire for his team to maximize the quality of their fast attackers by playing more vertically is understandable, but it also requires a delicate balance between taking risks and losing control.

United’s high-pressing approach out of possession has been a key aspect of their defensive tactics. By pressing high up the pitch, they’re able to limit opposition counter-attacks and create opportunities for themselves. However, this approach can be vulnerable to teams that adapt their formations to nullify United’s press.

The use of a 5-2-3 formation by AC Milan against United provided clues on how to counter Carrick’s defensive set-up. By using two central attackers to block passes into midfield and pressing the defenders, Milan limited United’s chances and created opportunities through quick transitions. This will be an area of focus for opponents this season as they look to exploit any weaknesses in United’s high-pressing approach.

Carrick’s United are taking a bold step into the unknown, but it’s one that could pay dividends if executed correctly. By embracing the “United DNA” and combining fast attacks with controlled possession, they’re creating a unique style of play that will be fascinating to watch. As seen in pre-season friendlies, there are also potential pitfalls to this approach – and teams will need to adapt their tactics to nullify United’s high-pressing and quick counter-attacks.

The Premier League is full of surprises, but few teams have taken a more calculated risk than Manchester United under Michael Carrick. It will be fascinating to see how they adapt as the season unfolds and whether this high-risk, high-reward approach pays off in the long run.