13 Sep 2026 19:31:27
The last time we played City, people were talking about the birth of Carrick-Ball. Fast paced, incisive and direct attacking football. I appreciate it was largely a joke, but at the time I viewed it more as the result of Amorim leaving than anything Carrick had done.
Since then I've been continuously asking the same question: What is Carrick's style of football?
Defensively, there seems to be some sort of answer. Deep and compact. It hasn't been particularly inspiring, or effective for that matter. But it's something that we can say Carrick has implemented.
Attacking wise, I don't see any plan other than, give the ball to Bruno. This many months into the job and Carrick's side has no attacking identity. Bruno plays well, we create chances. He doesn't, we don't. A good team can't be entirely dependent on one player, and that's down to the manager and his team.
Today, Carrick's game management was appalling. With City down a player, he should have been proactively looking to control the game. Instead, he reacted to going a goal down, and reacted in a baffling way.
Given that the club promise has been to bring in the best possible people to win titles: Was Carrick the best possible manager they could have appointed? Or simply the easiest decision?
13 Sep 2026 19:53:05
We just weren't at the races today. Bruno was non-existent. If he isn't running the show, we struggle.
I think it's because they aren't used to playing two games a week. It feels like it will be a long season already.
13 Sep 2026 19:59:39
We have been poor for ages, even after Carrick the interim.
We had two good games in City and Arsenal; the rest we scrapped a win, the football is boring, the tempo is non-existent.
Rashford has walked back into the club and been given a starting spot straight away.
We’ve moved Cunha to a false 9 that does not work.
The club failed to improve a defence that’s seen Shaw be there for 10 years, Dalot his 9th, and Maguire his 8th.
They should never have given the job to Carrick, he is way out of his depth. The starting 11 is baffling, and his substitutions are even worse.
Some on here called Amorim clueless for his substitutions, what have you got to say about Carrick?
He will not last the season, and wouldn’t surprise me if they appoint Howe, given he is the cheap and easy option.
They should have gone all out for Emery or the PSG manager.
I don’t mind losing, but the way we lose is worrying, we look worse than we did last season.
Ten Hag was slated on here and in the media for having no style of play, but I’m yet to see a style or identity under Carrick.
We are way off it, and it’s worrying, top 5 is a must, and as it stands it will be a long hard season.
13 Sep 2026 20:02:26
Danny,
I agree with your post. Carrick didn't even try to change formation.
City say back, deep, and defended well. Utd play it left, back to the middle, to the right, and vice versa until someone plucked up the courage to cross the ball in.
Predictable football.
Utd moved the ball around quickly, it was neat, quite entertaining at times. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Carrick doesn't have a Plan B.
13 Sep 2026 20:14:36
Mad Hatter, I expected Sesko to be brought on at halftime because it would put their centre backs under more pressure. But the worst decision by far was to take off Tielemans for Sesko.
To break City down, we needed to increase the passing tempo to drag them out of shape.
Taking Tielemans off left us with 4 players running into a well-drilled defence, and our most creative player playing deep. I honestly couldn't believe it.
Cunha was having a stinker to boot.
13 Sep 2026 20:57:49
Danny,
I was surprised too. I thought Lacey might get 10 minutes or so, a bright spark, enthusiastic, willing to take players on... but, sadly, no.
More often than not, Utd lack that killer instinct.
13 Sep 2026 21:04:02
Bang on, Danny. I thought Tielemans was quietly ticking our midfield along. Cunha had another poor game and had to be the one taken off for Sesko.
13 Sep 2026 22:34:08
Outplayed, out-thought on the pitch. Outplayed, out-thought on the bench. Outplayed, out-thought in the boardroom.
14 Sep 2026 04:52:31
That Carrick ball was Amorim ball with a new anger bounce affixed to it.
Carrick is so bad as a manager, it isn't funny.