Manchester United’s early exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town last season remains a vivid memory for many supporters. That loss has become almost synonymous with the tenure of former manager Rubén Amorim, marking a particularly low point for the club. While the recent home defeat to Brighton may not carry the same historic weight, it echoes similar concerns for Michael Carrick, who succeeded Amorim at the helm.
Youri Tielemans, United’s captain during the Brighton game, admitted after the match that once the team fell behind 2‑0, they essentially stopped competing. The shift in momentum was evident at Old Trafford after roughly twenty minutes, as Brighton began to dominate and the contest seemed destined to end in their favour.
Even the introduction of attacking options such as Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha failed to spark any meaningful revival, leaving United’s attack looking flat and ineffective. This lack of response is likely to be the biggest worry for head coach Michael Carrick. Since taking charge in January, Carrick has often highlighted the positives in his side’s performances and defended his players after setbacks. However, against Brighton there was little to salvage – the team simply could not generate the quality or intensity required to turn the tide.
When Carrick and his backroom staff first arrived, they were praised for tightening the defensive shape. The side produced impressive victories over rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, thanks in large part to the contributions of experienced figures such as Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans, who helped organise the back line. Yet, the current season has exposed new vulnerabilities.
United have now allowed two goals in three of their four league fixtures, a statistic that raises questions about the durability of the defensive improvements. The Brighton loss highlighted these defensive frailties once more. One of the goals was a clear error from goalkeeper Karl Darlow, but beyond that mistake, the overall organisation of the back four appeared disjointed. The defenders seemed unsure of their roles, and the team’s shape collapsed at critical moments, allowing Brighton to exploit gaps with relative ease.
A recurring problem for Carrick has been the left‑back position. Although he has not publicly labelled it a specific weakness, the issue is evident.
Luke Shaw, United’s only senior left‑back, has missed the last three matches due to a minor injury. Given his age and history of injuries, it was arguably shortsighted not to reinforce that area during the summer transfer window. Carrick has experimented with Noussair Mazraoui in the role, but the Moroccan appears to have slipped down the pecking order, with the less experienced Patrick Dorgu preferred for the high‑profile Manchester derby that also ended in defeat. The club’s academy prospect, Harry Amass, does not yet seem to be considered a long‑term solution at left‑back, leaving United with a genuine dilemma on how to address the position for the remainder of the campaign.
Without a clear plan, the left flank remains a potential liability that opponents can target. It may feel premature to discuss Carrick’s job security after only a handful of games in the new season, especially since United have accumulated the highest points total of any side since his return in January. Nonetheless, Carrick himself has acknowledged that moments such as Ainsley Maitland‑Niles’ equaliser for Everton, the controversial VAR decision that awarded a goal to Manchester City, and the shocking collapse against Brighton have altered the narrative around his tenure.
If United were to lose their upcoming match against Fulham, televised live on Sky Sports, the conversation will inevitably turn to whether Carrick can guide the team out of the current storm. While that debate may be reserved for later, it is worth noting that Carrick deserves some empathy given the constraints he faces. The club’s limited activity in the summer market, with few departures and modest signings, has hampered his ability to refresh the squad. Yet, does a lack of spending excuse the failure to address obvious needs?
The left‑back issue is a prime example of a gap that should have been filled. Moreover, the forward line has struggled to adapt.
Benjamin Šeško spent the entire pre‑season nursing a shin injury, and United opted not to bring in a temporary number 9 to share the workload. Instead, they have deployed Mbeumo and Cunha in roles that do not suit their natural strengths, resulting in a dip in form compared with the previous season under Carrick’s guidance.
Until United can execute a comprehensive overhaul in a single transfer window, they will likely continue to rely on a patchwork of players inherited from previous regimes. This reality may explain the boos that rang out at Old Trafford after the Brighton defeat – not merely a reaction to a single poor performance, but a manifestation of fan frustration with a perceived cycle of half‑measures and unfulfilled promises.
It is still early days, and Carrick should be afforded the time he earned after delivering a respectable campaign last season. Nevertheless, he must navigate these choppy waters carefully, as his future at the club will ultimately be judged on results. If he can arrest the slide, even without an immediate victory over Fulham, a steady improvement could buy him the patience needed to steer Manchester United back onto a more promising trajectory.