Man United latest: Michael Carrick urged to make big change to team that could save him the sack

By Matt Law | 21 Sep 2026 11:15, Last updated: 21 Sep 2026 11:18

Former Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has urged Red Devils caput manager Michael Carrick to alteration his enactment aft the planetary break.

A disappointing commencement to the 2026-27 run has seen Man United prime up conscionable 5 points from 5 matches, which has near them down successful 12th spot successful the Premier League table.

The Red Devils were besides knocked retired of the EFL Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion past week.

Man United laboured to a 1-1 gully against Fulham successful the Premier League connected Sunday, with Matheus Cunha's precocious deflected effort sparing the distant side's blushes astatine Craven Cottage.

Neville has said that Carrick, who is nether pressure, whitethorn request to alteration from a 4-2-3-1 enactment to a 4-3-3 formation, with Carlos Baleba present disposable for selection.

Man United person struggled astatine the commencement of the 2026-27 campaign

Baleba is yet to marque his debut for the Red Devils owed to an ankle issue, but helium was connected the seat astatine Fulham and is expected to beryllium progressive against Tottenham Hotspur aft the planetary break.

"There's a question implicit the physicality of the team. Carlos Baleba's decidedly going to travel successful aft the planetary break. He needs to travel successful due to the fact that they request much force, much power, much aggression," Neville said connected the Gary Neville podcast.

"They're excessively bully and excessively casual to play against. There are not capable players reasoning astir playing disconnected the ball. That squad doesn't person the balance. 

"Do they person to spell to a 4-3-3? You've got [Marcus] Rashford connected the left, [Bryan] Mbuemo connected the right, [Matheus] Cunha up beforehand and Bruno [Fernandes] arsenic the 10.

Baleba is expected to marque Man United debut vs. Tottenham

"Are immoderate of those truly bully defensively? I'm talking astir putting a existent displacement in. You've past got [Youri] Tielemans and [Kobbie Mainoo] who are a small spot one-paced. Do you person Baleba holding and past having Mainoo and Bruno arsenic a 2 and past playing the 3 up top, whoever that be? 

"Does helium deliberation astir somewhat changing it due to the fact that they are excessively casual to play against? Manchester United could person conceded 4 oregon 5 and amended teams volition propulsion them apart.

"They're excessively open. The 2 wide players are excessively wide which leaves the midfield exposed. If Bruno doesn't get backmost successful you've efficaciously got a 4-2-4 and past you've got problems. You could effort it with Baleba and Mainoo, but I deliberation yet they person to spell with a coagulated 3 successful midfield."

Man United could besides person Amad Diallo disposable for enactment aft the planetary break; the attacker is yet to play for the Red Devils this word owed to an ankle issue.