Manchester United have a full week to go before they return to Premier League action against Everton.
Manchester United’s schedule was pulled into focus this weekend as the Reds continued their extended break due to the FA Cup fourth round. While not ideal at this stage of the campaign, it has allowed Michael Carrick to take a step back and evaluate what has happened over the first few weeks as interim boss.
The first few matches of his tenure could not have gone much better, with four wins and a draw at West Ham to show from his opening five games. But there is always room for improvement and with a full week still to prepare for the trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Carrick has the opportunity to iron things out.
MEN Sport has taken a look at the three priorities that should be on Carrick’s to-do list this week as he looks to continue United’s good run of form.
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New tactical approach
For the first time since Carrick’s return, his tactical approach did not hit the spot in the Reds’ last outing. West Ham, desperate to pick up any points they can at this stage of the season, made life difficult for United as they sat in a low block.
We expected United would dominate the ball against Fulham but that’s not how the game played out. At home to Spurs, United had more of the ball but against ten men it was always going to be easier for them to create attacking opportunities. The trip to the London Stadium was the first time under Carrick where the Reds needed to tweak their approach.
A point was salvaged but United need to find a way of playing against sides who are happy not to have the ball. Everton are unlikely to sit back against the Reds, especially at home, but Carrick will know this is needed in his team’s armoury before opponents become wise to it.
Sesko conundrum
United only managed to avoid disaster against West Ham thanks to the late heroics of Benjamin Sesko. Before Ruben Amorim left, Sesko had just two goals to his name.
Under Darren Fletcher and Carrick, Sesko has bagged a further five goals and he will surely be wondering what more he needs to do to get a start. His goal at West Ham was a sign of his growing confidence and saved the Reds from a disappointing loss.
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But with a lack of games this season, Carrick needs to figure out this week whether he should alter his starting line-up and give Sesko a chance or continue to use him from the bench. If he does rotate, it will be the first time he has done that without being forced to because of injuries.
Injury assessments
Speaking of injuries, assessing those injured players will be one of Carrick’s main priorities this week as he weighs up his options. Harry Maguire was pictured training last week after picking up a niggle vs West Ham and while Patrick Dorgu will be out again, questions remain over Matthijs de Ligt.
He has not played since last year and his injury, which was deemed not serious art the time, has become a costly one for the Dutchman. Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have performed well in recent weeks but De Ligt’s form prior to his injury shows how crucial he can be.
Before West Ham, Carrick said: “Matthijs, we’ll see how he develops, the Everton game feels like a long time away at the moment, so we’ll see how he develops, but he’s positive, he’s moving in the right direction.” The interim boss will hope this extended break has pushed him closer to a return.
