09 May 2026 18:57:03
Today's game highlighted why I'm not onboard the Carrick train. On the face of it you could argue that it was a good draw, away against a tough side. The reality of what happened on the pitch is that Sunderland threw away 2 points by failing to take the great chances they created. Credit to Lemmens, but that was some poor finishing.
Starting Bruno, Cuhna, Mount and Zirkzee was a major tactical blunder. They all want to operate in the space between midfield and defence. This area was congested when we had possession, and with Amad glued to the right wing, it left us with nobody up front. Our chances came when Dorgu and Mbeumo came on. At least that stretched the defence.
Mount is not a centre mid. He left Manioo isolated in defence and got in Bruno's way in possession. The worst thing is that Carrick watched the first 45 minutes and didn't think he needed to change anything. We created zero chances and looked vulnerable at the back, and he didn't react. Poor game management.
For Carrick to be appointed permanently, there needs to be some sense of progress and direction in regard to what his United team would be about. I haven't seen anything. Can't fault the results, but I am entirely unconvinced that he would be capable of building a side capable of winning trophies.
09 May 2026 20:22:12
Went to the match. Was hoping for great things and three points. In reality, it looked like we barely turned up. Too many misplaced passes and lack of ideas. We were slow and spent too much time committing needless fouls. Sunderland could have easily walked away with all three points.
09 May 2026 21:18:22
I'm certain we'll make the same mistake again by appointing Carrick. It should be thanks for everything, but we're going in a different direction. Nothing against Carrick, but we are mostly where we are because the standard of the other teams has been poor. We have limped over the line in truth.
09 May 2026 21:27:43
With Sesko and Casemiro out, I'm not sure that he had too many options. Amad remains out of form. Can't beat a player; final pass, shooting, and decision making are all very poor.
My guess is United would like to sell Mount, Zirkzee and/or Martinez, and to do that they need to be seen as viable. This was a perfect time to give them an opportunity.
.... But none of them seized the moment. Everyone was off, except Lammens, thank goodness, and imo Dorgu when he came on. Mainoo whiffed at a golden opportunity, Cunha's shot in the dying minutes was weak, and he also failed to make a pass to an open Mbuemo a little earlier.
An all round desultory performance and a very lucky point.
09 May 2026 21:37:14
Lads, you're all going to be very disappointed if you're expecting stellar performances in these last 3 games. Top 5 is secured, the job is therefore done. Today was nothing more than a glorified end of season match. Any players that are playing in the World Cup will be looking to watch their fitness, and who can blame them? We kept a clean sheet, got the point we needed to almost guarantee we finish in the top 3 (we've guaranteed top 4 now), and if we had lost, it doesn't really matter.
In the end, good point in a tough game against a side that's performed well at home this season, the majority of the time.
09 May 2026 22:39:08
Points per game remains league-title-winning form, I'm not convinced by Carrick, but seizing on a poor performance is very transactional.
8 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses, great points, but some worrying performances. I get that, but as GDS said, it's kind of an end-of-season feel now.
10 May 2026 04:56:24
They are all on their deckchairs, but it is utterly ridiculous to state if we lost it doesn't matter. Tell that to the fans who pay to travel, tell that to the millions paid by sponsors, tell that to the mums & dads of the kids...
10 May 2026 03:25:38
Awful performance and the team waS woefully unbalanced. I agree options were limited in midfield. As much as mount is not a cm he is a better one than ugarte imo.
Zirkzee was the only cf option.
Martinez coming back in I'm OK with. Heaven has played well and we have no idea what conversation took place between heaven and Carrick. So he may well not be demotivated at all.
Redman i understand your point but you have no clue what Carrick said to heaven and i think you are making too many assumptions and presumption's. Putting yourself in the shoes of a 19 yo or in fact any player is not being rational imo.
There are too many unknowns.
On the face of it, it might look harsh but who knows what lies beneath.
As for it being end of season stuff I don't accept that at all.
Martinez is not sure of a wc place and need to prove his fitness and durability maguire likewise. Maz likewise. Shaw surely has no hope but I don't think he'd run or try any harder either way.
Mainoo not sure of a spot so these guys are not holding back they just had no shape or plan not surprising it was rubbish mount zirkzee Martinez haven't played for weeks.
I'm all for giving longer lads a run but only after we have secured 3rd place.
10 May 2026 07:45:47
We saw 2 clear things today: the massive drop off without a few key players, most notably Casemiro, and a team that is playing for absolutely nothing. It's human nature to see a drop off.
Onto the summer: get the recruitment right, and it sets up whoever the manager is going to be well.
10 May 2026 09:55:53
I agree with Danny and Blackpool re Carrick. But who is available?