Michael Carrick tasted defeat as Manchester United manager for the first time this week. The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park, failing to pick up at least one point under their interim boss for the first time in any of his games at the club.
It was a poor performance for United, perhaps highlighting their lack of depth in the squad. Bringing in Manuel Ugarte and Tyrell Malacia was perhaps a sign that the quality, or lack thereof, in the team as a whole was there.
Surprisingly, however, after the impressive emergence of Joshua Zirkzee as the number ten, it highlighted the strong depth in that role.
Exploring Carrick’s options for a midfielder
After a great performance against Crystal Palace at the weekend, Zirkzee followed it up with another 15 minutes against the Magpies. He may get fleeting minutes at the moment, but his impact is felt.
On Wednesday night, he completed 100% of his dribbles, created one chance and forced a stunning save from Aaron Ramsdale with a stunning shot.
A silky player, Zirkzee always pulls off sharp tackles like this against Palace, making him a successful number ten.
It’s not just a technically gifted Dutchman you could choose from Carrick as a number ten. Matheus Cunha is also able to work in the middle, as he did under Ruben Amorim in the first half of the season.
Of course, Bruno Fernandes is the first choice for that role. With seven goals and 14 assists in 26 Premier League appearances this season, he is a fixture in the side.
But with the likes of Zirkzee and Cunha, Carrick has plenty of options.
That could spell bad news for one of United’s senior players, however.
A United star who may be difficult to break into the team
Even if Fernandes is the key to starting as a number 10 for United, it’s good for Carrick to have options. Of course, Zirkzee and Cunha are both more than their captain when he needs a rest.
Unfortunately, that could mean that United and England star Mason Mount has gone down even further. Despite his obvious talent, the 27-year-old has seen his Old Trafford career blighted by injuries.
Chelsea graduate Mount has played just 66 times for the Red Devils since leaving Stamford Bridge for £60m in 2023.
It’s amazing that he missed nearly as many games due to injury, being shut out for 58 games at one time.
It’s a real shame for the Old Trafford faithful that their number seven didn’t play more in that famous Red shirt. When he’s fully fit, his quality has come to the fore, this goal from the halfway line in the Europa League last season being a good example.
But perhaps the Portsmouth-born striker isn’t available enough to make his £60m move worth it.
Under Carrick, he played just one minute in the Manchester Derby in January, and he played just nine minutes under Ruud van Nistelrooy when he played last season.
|
Increase the record for each manager at Man United |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The manager |
Likely no. of games |
A real number. games (minutes) |
|
Erik ten Hag |
66 |
25 (982) |
|
Ruud van Nistelrooy |
4 |
1 (9) |
|
Ruben Amorim |
63 |
37 (1571) |
|
Darren Fletcher |
2 |
2 (92) |
|
Michael Carrick |
8 |
1 (1) |
|
Statistics from Transfermarkt |
||
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes at the Mount. He’s obviously still a talented player, but he’s been injured so much these days that it’s hard to see how he’ll be successful in the team once he recovers from his issue.
Since Fernandes is already in front of him, it is easy to make a case that Zirkzee and Cunha also systematically unseat him.
Mount will be keen to renew his career at Old Trafford, but who knows how many games he will start again, if any.
Carrick’s development: “The best young coach in Europe” now wants to join Man Utd
After Carrick’s first defeat, the news that one of football’s most talented coaches is looking for the Man United job comes at a good time.
