Despite Amorim’s flaws, one of his strengths was improving United’s physical base and intensity. It is debatable whether Carrick’s United, with one game a week last season, benefited from this.
This season they seem unable to maintain the intensity needed to execute man-to-man pressing with the effectiveness of, say, Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton – a physically fit team aligned on how and when to press.
For United, more worryingly still, there appears to be a disconnect – at least in how Fernandes views the game and in the messages from the coaching staff.
This misalignment makes it difficult to execute a defensive approach, with good defense based on intensity and coordination between players.
“Sometimes you have to be braver under pressure,” Fernandes said. “Take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.”
But bravery is subjective and it could be argued that Carrick defending with four attackers – ready to attack quickly – is an incredibly brave, even naive, decision.
Opting for a “half man-on-man” approach – looking to lock opponents into one area of the pitch – while allowing certain players to defend more area seems like a fair compromise on Carrick’s part.
But the way United defend in the 4-2-4 already looks outdated and is exposed.
So even if Fernandes and Carrick appear to be right, if United want to win regularly, any solution this season will likely lie somewhere between their views.
Gn sports
