Defeat to old boss highlights squad gaps

Michael Carrick’s first pre-season as Manchester United head coach has largely been positive, with new players making a good impression, nearly a fully healthy squad, and fluid football on display. But United’s performance against Milan was a reminder of the improvements that still need to be made, especially if Carrick and his players are to turn their words about doing “something special” into reality.

The fact that this 4-2 defeat came against a team managed by Ruben Amorim, using the system that proved an ill fit at United, only added sharper focus to that perspective. Amorim was searching for his first win in charge of Milan after two draws and a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, but his side blew United away in the second half at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw.

Flank overloads expose United

Samuel Chukwueze, who spent last season on loan at Fulham, repeatedly found joy when getting forwards from his position at right wing-back. He set up Alphadjo Cisse and Goncalo Ramos by crossing with his left foot when found via a quick switch of play that allowed him yards of space to run into. On each occasion, Luke Shaw, shuffling across to cover, was unable to close him down to stop the cross.

While that is partly a system issue, with Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 designed to get overloads on the flanks, it feeds into the ongoing consideration United are putting into the next signing in the market. Carrick wants more players; that much was clear from his interview with the media in Dublin, and left-back is the prime position on the agenda.

Shaw was excellent last season, starting all 38 Premier League games, but he will not play two games a week consistently, which is why United have looked at Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly and others. Shaw played the entire 90 minutes against Milan, his first full game of pre-season, and undoubtedly the 34-degree heat played a part in a low-energy second half from United in general.

Central defensive concerns

Milan’s final goal also came down United’s left, but Lisandro Martinez was the player most caught out. Shaw was coming back after advancing upfield, so it was Martinez who was up against Ruben Loftus-Cheek as he burst clear following a one-two with Ramos. Loftus-Cheek left Martinez in his wake and calmly finished past Senne Lammens.

Martinez was making his first appearance since returning after reaching the final of the World Cup, and it showed in that move. Ayden Heaven is Martinez’s rival for that left centre-back spot, and he is primed to start against Hull City as Martinez works his way to full match fitness, while Shaw will play at left-back.

Whether Carrick will have an alternative option he feels he can genuinely consider — with Harry Amass still developing at 19 — by the time the window closes remains to be seen. Amass is talented, but the club are considering a loan to get him regular minutes.

Transfer context and Amorim reunion

Amorim’s presence as Carrick’s final opposing manager of pre-season gave a certain irony to this whole conversation, a reminder of how United did sign a player of that ilk 18 months ago. Patrick Dorgu was brought in to fit Amorim’s system though, more attacking than a traditional full-back and deemed, so far, to be a left winger by Carrick.

Amorim was backed last summer through the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, then United went further than anticipated by pouncing for Benjamin Sesko too — acutely conscious of the need to add goals to the team. Those three arrived on transfers worth around £207million.

So far, under Carrick, United have committed £85m to incomings. Conversely, by finishing 15th, Amorim got greater resources than Carrick has enjoyed for coming third, securing the Champions League revenue that is so crucial to United’s operation. That could shift with a little more than a fortnight left of the window, but United are giving a strong impression that spending will continue to be disciplined.

Carrick knows, of course, that coaching can also change the picture. He is giving his players Monday off before getting back to work at Carrington.

“Five days of training in different ways,” he said. “Sometimes a little bit harder, sometimes a bit more of recovery. But we’ll work through the week and be better for it. We’re looking forward to it.”

As far as Carrick’s predecessor is concerned, here was a full stop to his United story. Despite issues between Amorim and his players at times during his tenure, many of them acknowledged their former manager after the game, with Bruno Fernandes, Shaw, Noussair Mazraoui, Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee in the first group to hug him after the trophy presentation.

Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, had shaken Amorim’s hand in the tunnel before kick-off, seven months on from Amorim bringing their relationship into the spotlight following an explosive row behind the scenes over the formation.

Amorim was much happier in the bowels of the Tarczynski Arena as he signed autographs and posed for pictures with United fans in the mixed zone. He then referenced his tendency for unpredictable moments in press conferences when spotting familiar faces among the group of journalists.

Carrick’s record since replacing Amorim is the best in the Premier League. But Amorim’s friendly win was a timely warning that United cannot rely solely on more magic from Carrick with the players he currently has.