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Carrick needs Man Utd form reversal
TL;DR
Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick faces scrutiny after a disappointing home defeat to Leeds. His decision not to make substitutions during the match has sparked questions about his approach and the team's performance.
Key points
- Manchester United lost to Leeds at home.
- Michael Carrick did not make any substitutions during the match.
- Criticism of Carrick highlights how results influence perceptions.
Mentioned in this story
Michael Carrick
Manchester UnitedLeeds
[Getty Images]
It has been interesting to observe how Manchester United have been assessed in the wake of Monday's disappointing home defeat by Leeds, and particularly the reaction to Michael Carrick.
What had previously been viewed as calmness in the technical area and a sense of stability gained from not making many changes, was suddenly viewed as inaction and questions were raised about why Carrick did not bring on any substitutes.
I guess Carrick would argue he hasn't done anything differently, which underlines a basic truth about Premier League football - results shape narratives.
To that end, Manchester United are not doing well. One win in four matches is their worst run since the point where Ruben Amorim was sacked. They also had a run of three games without a win that culminated in that shocking home defeat by 10-man Everton in November.
Tomorrow's trip to Chelsea is the perfect chance to turn the narrative back again. Their record at Stamford Bridge is not good. They lost on their past two visits, and have not won since 2020, with just two victories in their past 23 league games there.
The key question for Carrick will be if Lisandro Martinez is available, and if not, who is playing in central defence. Whether Carrick wants to answer is another matter.
Return to the Manchester United page later on Friday to find out what Carrick says in his news conference
Q&A
What happened in Manchester United's recent match against Leeds?
Manchester United suffered a disappointing home defeat to Leeds, raising concerns about the team's performance.
Why is Michael Carrick facing criticism after the Leeds match?
Carrick is criticized for not making any substitutions during the match, which some fans view as a lack of action in response to the team's struggles.
How do results affect perceptions of coaches in the Premier League?
In the Premier League, results significantly shape narratives, meaning that poor performances can lead to increased scrutiny of a coach's decisions and strategies.
