{"id":5011,"date":"2026-09-17T13:19:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5011"},"modified":"2026-09-17T13:19:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:19:19","slug":"manchester-united-whats-to-blame-for-latest-problems-and-results-increasing-scrutiny-on-michael-carrick-after-carabao-cup-exit-football-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5011","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United: What’s to blame for latest problems and results increasing scrutiny on Michael Carrick after Carabao Cup exit? | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Manchester United’s collapse against Brighton has intensified the scrutiny on Michael Carrick – but the problems at Old Trafford run deeper than the head coach.<\/p>\n

United led 2-0 after just 10 minutes against Brighton on Wednesday night. By full-time, they had lost 3-2, exited the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage for a second successive season and been booed off by their own supporters.<\/p>\n

It was the first time in 50 years United had lost at Old Trafford after going 2-0 up. They had won 143 of the previous 145 matches in which they had established that advantage. They also failed to register another shot on target after Mason Mount’s 2-0 goal until the 76th minute.<\/p>\n

The defeat leaves Carrick under pressure only months after his interim spell was rewarded with the permanent job. He had won 12 of his 17 matches last season, drawing three and losing two, giving him a 70.6 per cent win rate. This season, his record is two wins, one draw and three defeats from six games – a 33.3 per cent win rate.<\/p>\n

United have now also matched their joint-worst start to a Premier League season after four games, while their Carabao Cup exit has removed an opportunity for silverware.<\/p>\n

So what is the main issue at Old Trafford?<\/p>\n

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Highlights from the third round of the Carabao Cup match between Manchester United and Brighton.<\/span>
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United are being outrun<\/h3>\n

United’s lack of urgency on the pitch has been stark, and the numbers match what we’re seeing in matches.<\/p>\n

United rank 14th in the Premier League for distance covered this season, with 449.1km, but their rankings drop sharply when the intensity of those movements is measured.<\/p>\n

They are 18th for sprints, with 379, 19th <\/strong>for high-speed runs, with 1,364, 18th <\/strong>for sprints per kilometre covered and 19th <\/strong>for high-speed runs per kilometre.<\/p>\n

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That paints a picture of a team covering ground without doing enough of it at the speeds required to press, recover and defend transitions.<\/p>\n

It was particularly obvious against Brighton. United’s nine changes from the side that started the Manchester derby provided some context, with several players coming into the team after spending time on the bench. But Brighton also made six changes, including four players making their first starts for the club.<\/p>\n

Jamie Redknapp questioned United’s physical condition.<\/p>\n

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Jamie Redknapp rips into Manchester United for the way they defended in their 3-2 loss to Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round.<\/span>
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“They didn’t look fit enough,” he said. “I don’t know if a lot of them do enough. I saw too many players not running back or not looking fit enough.”<\/p>\n

Leny Yoro’s recovery for Brighton’s third goal was one example. He was jogging back as Brighton broke, rather than sprinting into a position from which he could make a challenge.<\/p>\n

It is a concern that stretches beyond one night. If United cannot match opponents for intensity, they are left defending larger spaces and spending longer without the ball.<\/p>\n

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Your views<\/h3>\n

Bomer86:<\/strong> “Why are Brighton fitter and faster than Man Utd? What is happening in training that the players are not fit? They were slower to every ball. No desire, no energy after 10 mins.”<\/p>\n

Ossy:<\/strong> “Fitness\/intensity and Carrick’s inability to read game state and react accordingly is going to be Man Utd’s undoing this season.”<\/p>\n

United have spent, but is the squad balanced?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This summer United made seven permanent signings, alongside four loan arrivals, while 13 players left permanently and 10 went out on loan.<\/p>\n

The headline investment has been concentrated heavily in midfield and attack. Around \u00a385m of that spending started against Brighton in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while Carlos Baleba – signed from Brighton for around \u00a370m – was watching from the stands.<\/p>\n

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The broader squad remains one of the most valuable in the Premier League. Transfermarkt <\/em>values United’s first-team squad at \u00a3791.2m<\/strong>, the fifth-highest figure among the clubs shown, behind Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.<\/p>\n

However, concerns remain over whether the distribution of that value has provided Carrick with enough tools to work with.<\/p>\n

United’s forwards account for \u00a3317.2m<\/strong> of the squad valuation and midfielders another \u00a3249.9m<\/strong>. The defensive group is valued at \u00a3193.8m<\/strong>, with the goalkeeper position accounting for the remainder.<\/p>\n

The defence was already an obvious area of concern before the transfer window closed, yet United went into Wednesday’s game with two inexperienced centre-backs in Yoro and Ayden Heaven and limited options at full-back.<\/p>\n

Your views<\/h3>\n

EmmaRachael:<\/strong> “Why do Man Utd persist in buying quantity instead of real quality.”<\/p>\n

Cheese:<\/strong> “Appalling defence please invest in defensive reinforcements.”<\/p>\n

Gazza D:<\/strong> “United haven’t backed Carrick. Desperately need two wing-backs of quality and that is evident in what we’ve seen with Dalot and Mazraoui.”<\/p>\n

Owners and INEOS: Who built this squad?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n United’s director of football Jason Wilcox was in attendance at Old Trafford on Wednesday
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Supporters have repeatedly questioned the direction of the club, particularly after another transfer window in which significant money was spent but defensive reinforcements remained an issue.<\/p>\n

United have now cycled through several managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, yet familiar complaints about the squad, recruitment and performances remain.<\/p>\n

That is why Carrick’s position can’t be judged in isolation. The manager is responsible for the team on the pitch, but the squad he is selecting was built through decisions made at board and recruitment level.<\/p>\n

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INEOS-owned football clubs’ league positions<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n