Carrick Concedes Manchester United's Clean-Sheet Record Must Improve as Como Clash Looms
Michael Carrick did not need long to agree with the premise. Asked at his pre-match news conference at a rain-lashed Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como whether his Manchester United side would benefit from keeping more clean sheets, the manager's reply was blunt: "You're dead right. I can't argue with that."
A season of scarce shutouts
The numbers make uncomfortable reading. United have kept the opposition out just once in 10 games across all competitions this season (2026-27) — against Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK last month. The problem, however, runs well beyond the current campaign.
United managed six clean sheets in Carrick's 17 matches in charge last term, including two in their final three games. Prior to that they had recorded only two all season, part of an overall tally of nine in 63 games under his predecessor Ruben Amorim.
By contrast, Arsenal — who face Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday — have recorded seven clean sheets in 11 matches this season, a reminder of the defensive bedrock that underpinned their Premier League title triumph.
Carrick acknowledged that defensive solidity is the missing ingredient. "There's definitely parts of our game we have to improve to make things easier. I am fully aware of that," he said.
Injuries and suspensions bite
Continuity of selection would help, yet it has proved virtually elusive. Only once has Carrick been able to name the same back four, when Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw started the victory against Ipswich at Old Trafford on 30 August and kept their places for the trip to Everton the following week.
Carrick described his fitness update before the Como encounter as "a mixed bag". Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt was declared "fit and ready" after 11 months on the sidelines with the back injury that required surgery in May. Yet De Ligt was on the bench at Leeds on Sunday when Martinez went off with the thigh injury that prevented him travelling to Italy, and Carrick instead turned to Noussair Mazraoui — usually a full-back — for the central defensive slot.
United's defensive resources are stretched further still, with Leny Yoro ruled out through suspension. Shaw is not fit and is expected to be out for "a little bit longer" than the 10 days Kobbie Mainoo will miss, meaning the left-back may not return until after the November international break.
Leeds draw adds to the pressure
The defensive concerns arrive with United still searching for a change in fortunes. In their most recent outing on Sunday (2026-10-18), United were held to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road after Dominic Calvert-Lewin cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo's opener, extending Carrick's winless run to six matches in all competitions and five in the Premier League ahead of the trip to Como.
Como await
Wednesday's fixture will be the first meeting between Como and Manchester United. The Italians sit fifth in Serie A with 14 points from seven matches (as of 2026-10-21) and opened their Champions League debut campaign with a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig before responding to a subsequent European defeat by beating Fiorentina 3-1 away from home.
For Carrick, the message is clear: if United are to turn their season around, the clean sheets must start now.