Manchester United sit 13th in the Premier League after four matches, having earned just four points from a loss at Hull, a win over Ipswich, a draw at Everton and a Sunday defeat to rivals Manchester City. The City setback is partly offset by the upcoming derby, which comes just three days after a Champions League victory over Sabah, while City will have enjoyed 48 hours more rest following their win in Porto. With a Carabao Cup tie against Brighton on Wednesday and a league visit to Fulham on Sunday, questions remain about whether United’s current form truly reflects their standing.
Is Michael Carrick repeating Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s trajectory?
After Ole Gunnar Solskjær took over temporarily in December 2018, following José Mourinho’s turbulent spell, he won 14 of 19 games and was made permanent in March 2019. His tenure then faltered, with only two wins from ten matches, and United finished sixth—the same position they were in when he arrived. Michael Carrick similarly rescued the side as interim manager last season after Ruben Amorim’s abrupt dismissal, leading United to a third‑place finish. However, since becoming permanent boss, results have declined. The fact that Solskjær’s precarious position and eventual sacking in November 2021 does not automatically condemn Carrick. Still, continued poor results could prompt director of football Jason Wilcox to be criticised for another hasty appointment of a popular former player, especially given Carrick’s relatively short contract that extends only to 2028.
United’s passive display under Carrick highlighted by City defeat
When Phil Foden received a red card after 23 minutes at Old Trafford on Sunday, Manchester United were temporarily a man up against Manchester City. Yet the team looked lethargic, with the midfield partnership of Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans failing to dictate play or create openings for forwards Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford. United’s expected goals from open play fell below 1.0 for the first time in 12 home league games under Carrick (0.95), a statistic that should worry the manager more than the controversial VAR decision that allowed Erling Haaland’s winner (Enzo Fernández had, as later admitted, interfered with play). The same lack of impetus was clear in the opening defeat at Hull, where Andrey Santos partnered Tielemans; there was scarcely any threat on goal and the side appeared listless and passive.
United’s failure to address left‑back weakens squad
The summer transfer window saw United chase a left‑back for months, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall (the primary target), Arsenal’s Myles Lewis‑Skelly and RB Leipzig’s David Raum all linked to the club, yet none materialised. Missing an obvious weakness after correctly diagnosing it looks unprofessional and is unlikely to have pleased Carrick. Instead, the club invested heavily in midfield, signing Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, while retaining Kobbie Mainoo and the injured Manuel Ugarte. This arguably created midfield congestion, especially when the money spent on Santos (£48 m plus £2 m in add‑ons) could have been used to address the left‑back shortage. The consequences became evident early in the campaign. With Luke Shaw, the regular left‑back, sidelined by a knock, Carrick was forced to start Patrick Dorgu, a former forward. In last season’s home game against City Dorgu had played wide left and scored, but on Sunday he was positioned man‑for‑man against Josko Gvardiol instead of holding a defensive position. Dorgu’s misplaced header also gifted City the ball to start their attacking move.
United’s expensive summer arrivals must deliver quickly
United splashed roughly £148 million on three summer arrivals – Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans (£35 m) and Carlos Baleba (£65 m). So far the returns have been modest: Santos has started only once (the defeat at Hull), Tielemans has featured in every league match but has largely been invisible, and Baleba has yet to play because of injury, with the Cameroonian not expected to return until after the international break. None of this would be critical if results were stronger. In August, while training in County Kildare, Tielemans acknowledged that no other club had been keen to activate his £35 m release clause at Aston Villa. As United look to reinvigorate their season, the Belgian captain must become a more influential figure both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Should Benjamin Sesko start upfront for United?
Benjamin Sesko made a comeback from injury at the start of the campaign, appearing as a substitute in every league fixture and starting against Sabah, where he netted. His strike in the 2‑2 draw at Everton gave him joint‑third place in United’s league scoring chart, level with Bruno Fernandes (three) and Bryan Mbeumo (two). In contrast, Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford have yet to find the net from their respective starts. Sesko’s natural centre‑forward instincts and direct approach could make him a viable option to lead the line when United travel to Fulham.
