Carrick says United need more clean sheets to revive their season
Michael Carrick could not argue when asked about Manchester United’s inability to keep opponents out of the net. “You’re dead right. I can’t argue with that,” he replied at a rain‑soaked pre‑match press conference in Como’s Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium. The question centred on United’s solitary clean sheet in ten games this campaign, a shutout that came against Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK last month.
“It’s clear there are parts of our game we have to improve to make things easier. I am fully aware of that,” Carrick said, ahead of United’s Champions League clash with Como on Wednesday.
The defensive woes extend beyond the current season. In the 17 league matches Carrick oversaw last term, United recorded six clean sheets, including two in their final three fixtures. By contrast, his predecessor Ruben Amorim managed only two shutouts in a full season, nine in 63 games overall. Arsenal, whose defence underpinned their Premier League triumph, have already kept seven clean sheets in 11 matches this term as they prepare to face Bayern Munich in Germany.
Consistency in selection could help Carrick stabilise the back line, but it has been elusive. The only time he fielded the same four defenders was when Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw started the 2‑1 win over Ipswich on 30 August and retained their places for the trip to Everton a week later.
Carrick described his squad’s fitness picture before the Como game as “a mixed bag”. He noted that Dutch centre‑back Matthijs de Ligt was “fit and ready” after eleven months out with a back injury that required surgery in May. Yet de Ligt remained on the bench at Leeds on Sunday when Martinez left with a thigh problem that kept him out of the Italy match, prompting Carrick to slot full‑back Noussair Mazraoui into the centre.
United’s defensive options are further stretched. Leny Yoro is suspended, Luke Shaw is still recovering and is expected to miss more than the ten days that Kobbie Mainoo will be unavailable, meaning Shaw may not return until after the November international break. Could Harry Amass become the sixth left‑back used this season?
The left‑back dilemma was arguably predictable and should have been addressed during the summer. United’s late‑day inquiry to Manchester City about Algeria international Rayan Ait‑Nouri suggested the club recognised the issue. Shaw, who started every Premier League game last season and the first three this term, has featured only twice since his injury, and his absence could extend into double‑digit games before the 31‑year‑old is fit again.
When Dalot took the left‑back role against Leeds, he became the fifth different player to start there in six games. None of the five could be described as a natural left‑back. Rumours linked Martinez’s post‑match outburst after the Atlético Madrid defeat to the involvement of 20‑year‑old Ayden Heaven at left‑back, noting that Heaven had played more in that position during his youth days at Arsenal. In the summer, United’s coaches reportedly felt 19‑year‑old Harry Amass, Shaw’s pre‑season stand‑in, was not yet ready for regular first‑team duties. Amass’s sole appearance this season came as an 18‑minute substitute against Sabah, a fact Carrick has contested.
“He’s right in contention,” Carrick said. “At some point, young players need an opportunity. It’s just finding the right time. Sometimes it’s because something unfortunate happens to somebody else. Sometimes it’s simply that you’re doing well and we have to give you a chance. All the young players are in a similar boat. There are maybe four, five, or six of them trying to make that next step, and Harry’s definitely one of them.”
The failure to bring in a direct replacement for Shaw has been a recurring criticism aimed at Carrick and sporting director Jason Wilcox. Many in the agent community sympathise with Wilcox, who was given a transfer budget that many observers felt was insufficient for United’s needs. Some argue that the £50 million spent on Andrey Santos from Chelsea might have been better allocated elsewhere.
Santos sat beside Carrick as the manager addressed the media on Tuesday, and the topic was not pressed. “When we’ve got injuries at different stages, we can always look at what could have been done and where we could have improved,” Carrick said. “I spoke to you about making the best of the transfer window in the situation we had. This man next to us [Santos] was a big part of that. I’m delighted to have him.”