Carrick blasted for ‘total lack of philosophy’ as Man Utd spell ‘unravels’ | OneFootball

The ‘myth’ that Michael Carrick has revived Manchester United was ‘exposed’ by Hull City in their Premier League opener, with a journalist aiming fierce criticism at the Old Trafford head coach.

Carrick guided Man Utd back into the Champions League qualification places last season after taking over from Ruben Amorim on an interim basis in January. Carrick’s success in the second half of the campaign saw him earn the job permanently.

However, there were question marks over how United would perform this season as they look to compete both domestically and in the Champions League.

Their alleged title challenge is already over after a damaging defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Hull at the MKM Stadium.

United’s back four was all over the place, while their new-look midfield of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans went missing.

The i Paper’s chief sports correspondent, Kevin Garside, has written that ‘Hull set fire’ to the ‘myth’ that United are enjoying a comeback under Carrick, as his ‘total lack of philosophy’ was ‘exposed’.

Garside asked: ‘What exactly is Carrick-ball? He is the only Big Six manager with no way of playing at all.’

He added: ‘Of all the “big-six” coaches, Carrick is arguably the one without a philosophy attached. Is there such a thing as Carrick-ball? We know what Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team might look like, one not dissimilar to that of fellow Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo Maresca at Manchester City.

‘The Guardiola-like emphasis on detail and emotion is equally prominent in the work of Roberto De Zerbi at Spurs. Andoni Iraola will seek to establish width and pace through the middle as he adapts his counter-attacking style at Liverpool. What Carrick-ball might mean is hard to know.’

Garside described the result as ‘the worst of Carrick’s short career as United coach.’

Defeat doesn’t change Man Utd direction – Carrick

In his post-match interview, Carrick said: “We have a bit to improve on. It was never going to be perfect [but] going behind makes it more difficult against a promoted team at home.

“We can’t give them much, and they had opportunities. We’re disappointed but it won’t knock us.”

On which areas require improvement, Carrick responded: “It’s for us to know and to improve during the week and keep getting stronger as a group, and we have a lot to learn from it.”

He continued: “Two goals is frustrating anyway, they decide the game today and there’s things to improve on.

“One game doesn’t change the direction of everything. It doesn’t change the direction of the football club.”