Manchester United’s disastrous start under Michael Carrick has deepened after a 4-1 defeat by Como left the club seven matches without a win in all competitions and exposed growing divisions within the squad.
The result came five months after United confirmed Carrick would remain as head coach, following a strong finish to last season. Instead, the club have made their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign, with the collapse in form raising serious questions about the team’s direction.
Carrick described himself as “angry” after the loss in Italy, while captain Bruno Fernandes publicly criticised the tactical plan. The disagreement followed Lisandro Martinez’s criticism of the club’s summer transfer business, with the defender taking aim at technical director Jason Wilcox.
Manchester United’s recruitment and fitness problems
United spent £163 million during the summer, but midfield was the principal area strengthened. The left-back and centre-forward positions were not addressed, leaving Carrick without the depth required to move from a 40-game season to Champions League football while improving on last term’s third-place finish.
The squad’s physical condition has also become a concern. Questions were raised over the lighter running load during pre-season, while the demands of an increased schedule have added to the pressure on a group already struggling to match opponents for intensity.
United have been out-run in six of their seven Premier League matches. The only exception came against Manchester City, who played for more than an hour with 10 men. Their defensive work without the ball was again exposed by Como.
“If you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win,” Carrick said after the match.
The absence of key defenders has not helped. Martinez and Luke Shaw are injured, Ayden Heaven has been ill and Leny Yoro was suspended. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui endured difficult evenings in Italy, while Matthijs de Ligt was making his first appearance in 11 months.
Even when players have been available, United have been unable to establish a settled midfield combination in front of the defence. Carrick is still searching for the right balance, with Carlos Baleba among those working their way back to fitness.
Fernandes form adds to United’s attacking struggles
Fernandes’ dispute with the tactical approach has come during a difficult personal run. The captain has contributed to only one goal in his past nine United matches, while all four of his Premier League goal involvements this season came in the same match against Ipswich Town, when he scored three times and provided an assist.
His chance creation has halved compared with last season, when he set a new assists record. That decline has been felt across an attack which was the Premier League’s highest-scoring side during the final 17 games of last season under Carrick.
United have managed more shots than any other team this season but rank joint-worst for expected goals per shot, suggesting that much of their attacking output has lacked quality. Since the Ipswich match, Fernandes has taken 12 shots but put only two on target.
The continuing absence of Benjamin Sesko has made the problem more obvious. With no alternative established striker available, United lack a clear focal point in attack. Fernandes was used as a false nine against Como, but the experiment failed to provide a solution.
The defensive uncertainty has compounded those attacking shortcomings. United have not kept a clean sheet this season, leaving them with little protection when they fail to convert their chances.
There could be some relief against Bournemouth on Sunday, with Yoro, Martinez, Heaven and Marcus Rashford potentially returning. The defenders would strengthen a depleted back line, while Rashford could offer greater threat in attack.
But Fernandes has suggested United must overcome a psychological barrier as well as improve physically. Como’s early goal left the side feeling as though defeat was already likely, he said, making it difficult for them to play with courage and control.
“It’s very difficult to get out of that at the moment, without being ourselves and trying to push and trying to be brave, trying to have the ball, trying to make something happen,” Fernandes said.
United now need a response at Old Trafford to halt the slide and restore belief. Recreating the outstanding run of results that secured Carrick’s long-term future will require improvements in fitness, structure, defending and attacking efficiency.
