United are a team that can really play but Carrick has a squad that cannot run. So where is the team after six pre-season matches that brought a mixed bag of results?
The good news: pre-season has demonstrated the direction of travel. Carrick wants his side to have more control, be more connected and be attractive in possession. It’s verticality with a purpose.
Then there are the signings. Andrey Santos has been the story of pre-season. He’s very busy and us always looking forward. Tielemans is the line-breaking passer United have missed since Carrick himself stopped playing. With Mainoo back in the squad after the World Cup and Mount impressing before injury, there are four quality footballers in midfield for two spots.
The worry is everything that happens to United when they don’t have the ball. One issue is legs: not enough athleticism anywhere but especially in midfield. In defence too, where Maguire is perhaps a season past being a regular starter. It's mad that Luke Shaw is still the only senior left-back, and he’s lost his physical edge too.
The other concern is on the coaches. United's pressing does not function as well as it should, and the team concedes a lot of goals from wide areas. This looks like a pattern.
But Carrick has found a good balance in the forward line. The team starts the season without Benjamin Šeško but Mbeumo up top seems to be working. Rashford's future may or may not be at United, we're still not sure, but United have a lot of different options.
But Carrick needs two signings before the window shuts. Can the club deliver? I try to give a reasonable assessment in this video.
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