Biggest winner and loser of Hull City defeat as Carrick is forced to turn back to his lucky charm | OneFootball

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Manchester United have assembled one of the most formidable midfields in the Premier League.

INEOS have delivered on their biggest task of the summer: rebuilding Michael Carrick’s engine room.

The Red Devils’ midfield was far from where it ought to have been in terms of quality, and with Casemiro also leaving, the 20-time English champions were left with no option but to overhaul the department entirely.

As a result, roughly £150 million has been spent to hand Carrick a fine midfield. The additions of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, joining a group already containing Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, represents a 10 out of 10 midfield rebuild.

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Fernandes is a likely assured starter, but Carrick now has a welcome dilemma over which pairing to go with alongside the Portuguese magnifico.

Interestingly, the competition for places is already shaping up, with a necessary change at the centre of the park expected after the Hull defeat, in which Santos and Tielemans were the midfield pivot.

Despite the loss, Santos left an impression, winning the most tackles and the most duels on the pitch. He did not influence the game much, but he still put in a decent, quiet debut.

Tielemans struggled

Tielemans, on the other hand, really struggled. He is brilliant when given time and space to pick his passes, but once Hull pressed him and made the game physical, he struggled to control the middle. He also appeared to be struggling physically, with some even suggesting he needs to find his fitness.

His struggles off the ball also saw Santos try to cover too much ground, which left gaps in midfield for Hull to exploit whenever they won possession.

Given all that, it would be a mistake for Carrick to stick with the Belgian. Tielemans surely needs to make way for Mainoo.

Mainoo-Santos midfield pivot worth trying out versus Ipswich

Mainoo and Santos could complement each other well: while the summer signing wins the ball back and regains possession, the United number 37 could look to make things happen with the ball.

As technically gifted as Mainoo is, United have in him a player inclined to carry the ball, attract pressure and manipulate low blocks. Santos, meanwhile, would act as the warrior, thwarting opponents’ attacks and freeing Mainoo to provide control and help dominate.

Lucky charm

That said, United have only lost once under Carrick when Mainoo has started a game.

Interestingly, their two worst losses in his reign, against Leeds and now Hull City, have both come when he has not started.

Mainoo is Carrick’s lucky charm. If fit and available, he needs to start, leaving the last midfield spot up for grabs.

Santos, Tielemans and Baleba could all battle to partner him, or ideally, one of them could come in purely to deputise for him when needed.

In the end, United are a better team with Mainoo playing. The Man United head coach should know that; he just needs to find a way to platform him.