Is Michael Carrick on the hot seat amid Man United's nightmare start? 🤔 | ESPN FC

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Is Michael Carrick under pressure after Manchester United's nightmare start?

The ESPN FC panel discusses Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Tottenham and the pressure on Michael Carrick, focusing on United's lack of a clear style and Spurs' display with 10 men. The consensus is that Carrick will not be sacked immediately, but a widening gap to the Champions League places could force the board to act; Spurs show promise but still lack cutting edge and discipline.

Rob Dawson, Frank Leboeuf and Craig Burley join Kay Murray on ESPN FC to discuss Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur's 1-1 tie. Man United's 1-3-2 start is their worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years. ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plus.espn.com/ ESPN ESPNFC

Transcript

though it finished 1-1 between these two sides. Let's take a look at how it looks in the Premier League table for both of them right now. Manchester United, well, that's six points in six games for them. They find themselves in 12th. Tottenham for their part in the bottom three with just three points after six games right now. So, there's plenty to talk about with both of these teams as we welcome in Frank Leoff and our Manchester correspondent Rob Dawson. Let's start with Manchester United, shall we? Rob, I asked you before the break about the pressure being on Carrick. It felt like it was a little bit of a harsh question to be honest, but I'll ask it again if you don't mind. The pressure is certainly on. Um, with every poor result, it's going to grow and grow. Um, there were booze at Old Trafford today. There were booze during the game after about 20 minutes because Spurs had started so well. There were booze at the final whistle after Spurs had equalized. Even though they only had 10 men, it's obviously not been a great start for Man United this season. It's their worst start after six games for for 40 years. They've got a really tough schedule coming up. They've got Atletico in the Champions League on Tuesday, then they go to Leeds next weekend, and then they've got another Champions League away game against Ko. The issue is that you just don't see where a run of good results is going to come from for for Man United. And that is a major major problem for for Michael Carrick because with every passing result, every every poor performance, every negative result, the pressure is going to grow and grow and at some point he's going to give the the Man United board a decision to make. They certainly won't want to to make a change in terms of their head coach, but it's the only change really that they they've got to make. If results don't pick up, it's something that they're going to have to think about. >> It's not just the I mean results are one thing, Rob, because Tottenham have obviously had worse results, hence they were bottom of the league going into this tie. But you kind of you kind of see what Tottenham are trying to do. They haven't always been successful at it. In fact, their big problem was today that having dominated the first 25 minutes, they're just so lightweight up front that they couldn't put United away. You can see what they're trying to do in terms of their patterns of play, Robin. Some of the football was quite good, but surely, you know, with Man United, it's difficult to see what they're trying to do in terms of their buildup play. And then when you have 25 minutes at Old Trafford where the home team against the bottom team in the league barely get out their own half that that's going to pose I think more questions than answers uh than than say the results because when you look at what we what you witnessed in the first 45 minutes particularly in the first 25 minutes that that's pretty unacceptable. >> Yeah, you're right. and and a lot of fans are growing frustrated at what they would seem to be a lack of patterns in that sense. You're right with a Roberto Deserby team, even if results aren't going their way, you can understand or you can see what they're trying to do. I think a lot of fans will a lot of Man United fans, sorry, will tell you that they can't really understand what United are trying to do. H how is it that they want to attack? How do they want to score goals? I'm not sure that Man United fans would be able to tell you that. Even today, United's goal has come from, I think, pretty poor Spurs defending, which you highlighted when when the goal was played there, but also a moment of of magic, I suppose, from Brian Wemo, who's who's managed to turn quite quickly in the box, and then find a finish. They didn't really create an awful lot else really, Man United, that you could probably count on on one hand the number of clear-cut chances that they had. And really, if the game had played out in the way that you would expect, you would expect Tottenham Tottenham to win that game nine times out of 10 because they were by far the better team. They were they should have been ahead at at Halime. They were unlucky sort midway through the second half they lost control of the game. United were able to to take advantage and score that goal. But still Tottenham were able to come back and and find an an equalizer. I think out of those two managers walking away tonight, Roberto Deserby would be far more disappointed that his team have not won that game than Michael Carrick. Even though Michael Carrick has got to come out and say, you know, we should have won the game and they should have because they're playing against 10 men at the end. I think on the balance of play over the course of the 90 minutes, Roberto Deserby will be far more disappointed that his team have not won that game. >> I'm not huge on expected goals. I don't mind stats. Uh but but you can see even if you like expected goals, Tottenham have got double. Uh the reason United were still in the game at halftime and Rob sort of touched on it was Cinho does some great things and then the end product's not there. Connor Gallagher was on the ball a lot and worked really hard, but his final pass, his final decision is, you know, the pass is behind somebody or it's the wrong pass. Salanki's finishing. All those things that deserve on the touch line was sort of pulling his hair out. But the general play was good. You know, they had triangles in the middle of the park. They always had an extra man in there. They got the fullbacks forward. You know, the center half stepped in. It was there was good movement in in the Tottenham side. The only reason United were alive and kicking to come out at halftime is because Tottenham's issue is they're so lightweight up front. Uh if I'm giving you a plus point for United is when Biba come on he looked he looked like the player he was at Brighton a couple of years ago. Uh obviously he's chasing his fitness. I think that was his debut. Uh he came on and was sort of strutting around but there's too many other players for United. Bruno Fernandez, uh Mattes Kuna to an extent. uh they're not they're not playing well enough. They look hesitant. They look nervous. And and they almost look, dare I say, like the team that Michael Carrick took over. They look sort of hesitant. They look unconvinced. And when he came in, there was a an a little bit of an aura about them. They didn't always play well, but there was a belief at square pegs and square holes, keep it simple, do the basics, all that sort of stuff. And that that took them a decent distance last year. If we're being honest, it took Michael Carrick to the job. But they they definitely look as if they've regressed back closer to the Ruben Amarim era than the interim Michael Carrick era. And that for him is just a big problem. >> Are you surprised at what you're seeing from Manchester United, Frank? >> Yes. A lot. And especially when they didn't have the ball and it may be because of the individual that they have. Tinman's had a very bad game and when they don't have the ball you have to to to to know that you cannot count on them bulmer kuna Jallow Fernandez and Tinman's today to not defend so and it was clear in the middle of the park they were too fragile they were too open and it was quite easy because first played very well and they were very very organized to to go to go through that middle of the park and be and be facing quite easily the defense good for for Manchester ated as Craig mentioned Tottenham don't know how to finish the actions but that could have been worse after 25 minutes or half an hour it could have been much more damaging that that it it was and they were very fortunate to be still nil nil but uh yeah I I agree with Craig and uh and and I want to say that yeah I don't recognize Michael Carrick uh beginning of era when he when he started with me we go back to where they were before with so many doubts when they have the ball and no organization whatsoever when they don't have the ball. So yeah, it's very worrying. I don't know where they going, but they're not going well because if you see something from Tottenham, you see what is going and and where he wants to go. You don't see that anymore with Michael Carrick. >> Oh, sorry. I was just going to say >> I was going to chuck this to Rob. uh this these people so Jim Rackliff's people that are running the football side of it now on the face of it in terms of the managers seem to have made bad decision after bad decision is the fact that is this is my point is that going to save Michael Carrick a little bit longer Rob that that they they won't want to lose face again by admitting they've got it wrong again or is it going to get to a point where they're just going to make a decision come hell of high water because results are not good enough because at the moment what we got we got tenhag uh reuped with the contract then we have the Ruben Amarim then we have the interim Michael Carrick who did well but then the big question was is this the right way to go forward and and now the waters are so muddy where where do Omar Baratt and Ratcliffe and and Jason Wilcox go from here >> they certainly won't want to make a change because of the points you've just laid out there. You know, Michael Carrick is their man. And I know that he took over as an interim in January, but he only got the permanent job in the summer. So, effectively his he has six Premier League games >> into his permanent tenure. That is not a long time at all. And and to make a change right now would show that Omar Barada, Jason Wilcox, Sir Jim Radcliffe have made a massive mistake in giving him that permanent job. So you would assume that is going to buy Michael Carrick some time. The one problem that the board have got is the gap between where United are right now and those Champions League places because the minimum requirement for Man United every season usually but this season more than most because they need they need Champions League football because of the financial boost that it would give them. And so even this early in the season, the likes of Omar Brad, Jason Wilcox, Sin Radcliffe will be looking at the gap between where United are right now and the teams in that top four in the Champions League places. And if that gap opens up too much, they will be forced into making a change because they won't leave they won't want to leave themselves too much ground to make up. It won't be a case that they'll just push this through all the way to sort of April time without making a change and have United miss out on the Champions League. They they will become very if that gap is to open up any more than it is now, they will become very very nervous that United are going to miss out on Champions League football, Champions League revenue or even European football altogether. And they'll they will be forced then to make a change to try and trigger something to get something out of the team to push them back into those Champions League places. Now, that's exactly what they did with Ruben Amarim last season and it worked. You know, they sacked Ruben Amarim. brought in Michael Carrick and he got them from around about sort of ninth or eighth in the table up into third and into the Champions League. And they will be looking at that gap even this early in the season and it is very early. We're talking six Premier League games, but they will be looking at that gap already and they will be looking at at where United are in comparison to all those top teams. And the minute that they will they think that Champions League football is slipping out of their their grasp, that will be the point that they will feel that they are forced to make a change even though they they they really really won't want to. >> Yeah. I mean, I'm not in the camp of getting ready Michael Carrick and I think it's way too early. I'm not, you know, I don't think we should, well, you can, everybody can have their own opinion, but I don't think we should be shouting from the rooftops, he should be sacked. He But it's worrying for him. I don't think they I don't think the summer transfer uh was great for him, but you know, it is what it is and he has to work with that. But he just has to, you know, he has to get better results. But on top of better results, they have to find a way of playing better and not being dominated in games. You know, this started really match day one at Hull, you know, away from home at a newly promoted side who had the bit between their teeth because they were back in the big time and it was their big moment and and United went out and they were limp at best and they got beat and that sort of set the tone really for the start of this this season. Uh and it's it's a difficult one uh to turn around, but he's he's he's he's playing big boys rules now. He you know, he did well, he's got the job, and ultimately, like every other manager, he's going to be judged on results and performances and and unfortunately for him at the moment, uh both are below par. So, uh we wondered what the international break was going to bring in terms of its return, and I think we've got an early glimpse. As we do get to the Spurs side of things, we want to bring you what Roberto Dererby had to say about Rodrigo Benton's red card after the game. >> I kissed Rodrigo and they say thanks because it's clear is a a mistake from Rodrigo. No, because it's not the right reaction in football. But uh now Tottenham needs to react. Sometimes the reaction are not not uh nice, not uh um positive for the team. But I think in that moment in 10 players maybe we we played with more courage, we played with more energy and uh we changed again the game and u from a long time Tottenham uh played without this blood this character. >> So he's praising the fire there it would seem. Frank, what did you make of what Derby had to say about the situation? Is it I think it's true that maybe the player they felt kind of an injustice because I think if beteno deserve to be I really think that show deserve to to to to be as well because he started and provoked the reaction of beteno but maybe the player they felt that injustice and they really worked together but it's it's at the uh the image of what they showed today I think they were well organized they knew what they had to do they were spot on they were they they play with spa with space with very good organization defensively and they kept on doing that 10 against 11. Defensively h they were it was quite dangerous for them in some occasions but not that much and when they had the ball it was like they were 11 against 11 and they knew what they had to do and when they scored the goal I wasn't really surprised because I didn't feel that they were they were uh outnumbered. So, so for me it's a it's a very good foundation that deser is right to to work on and to and to and to mention because that's how Spurs can get better and a big club like Tottenham has needs to be that that way if they want to be successful and they have to keep that pressure. He has to keep that pressure to make sure that the players will keep on working that way because that was that was really different from what we have seen. >> Is he on the cusp of it coming together do you think? >> Uh well I mean they they they did a lot of things well in the game. Uh they need to start keeping clean sheets obviously. Uh but they're lightweight up front but they play some good football. So yeah, I mean I think Spurs will obviously get better. I think I don't think they'll be close to the relegation uh come the end of the season. What the strongest team is I really couldn't tell you at this moment in time. Uh but they were the better side today as as Rob mentioned a little earlier. If I'm and Rodrigo Bentonor deserve to be sent off. If I'm Rodrigo Bentonor and I am a hugely experienced international footballer who's played at some of the biggest clubs in European football, I would have to ask myself the question, why am I on the bench for Tottenham Hotspur? And why have I been on the bench a lot for Tottenham Hotspur? Because he's arguably more talented than anybody else in that midfield. He can pass the ball. He can do he can there's lots to like about his game. Apart from the fact out of possession, he's a loose cannon. And I'm not just talking about the sort of brushing of the head, the headbot, whatever you call it, what you like. I'm talking about over the period when he's been at Tottenham going chasing around from a central midfield position, willy-nilly, diving into crazy challenges, either taking himself out of game or getting silly bookings. It's not what Tottenham need now, and it's not what they needed under previous managers. You need your experienced players to make good decisions on the football field, particularly midfielders. And it's not only these rash decisions that he makes. It's the the lack of discipline when Tottenham don't have the ball. And I've watched him do it and think, why is he chasing the fullback? Why is he doing? And he's got to look at himself, why am I not in this Tottenham team? I'm better than probably better than the bulk of these play. Why am I not in it? And I think that's that's one of the reasons and we saw it again today. He comes off the bench, he jumps into a crazy scissor challenge that was b the line anyway. And then yes, Shaw pushes him to the ground which is a yellow card, but then he reacts. So, you know, the manager's protecting him. I get that. But I think he's another player that has to look at it and say, "If I really screwed my head and I really thought about this game, I I'm actually too good to be at Tottenham." But that's he's at Tottenham for a reason. And he's not only at Tottenham, he's on the bench at Tottenham who are bottom of the league. So when you're in that position and you're as talented as him, you got to ask yourself why. >> Frank, do you see it coming good for Tottenham? Well, hopefully it will because I think we need to see big clubs, you know, being at the top of the league and fighting against each other. And I really uh loved what I've seen today. I mean, in the middle of the park, you know, Craig is mentioning Betangu not being in the first 11. When you see Bergal today, Bergal looked like Frankie the young, you know, knowing what to do defensively and when he had the ball, he was very clever. Gallagher was the Gallagher that I've known at Chelsea, working very hard for everybody, very being very consistent and and that's that's what I want I wanted to see from them. And Savio S was Savio was on fire today and he needed a a great Euro was maybe the only one really good today for Manchester United to make sure he didn't destroy that team. But I I like what I saw. I like what I saw in the Maven the goalkeeper, the defense, they worked hard. Yeah, I I agree. I agree with Rob when he said earlier that the the goal was a little bit sloppy. I think Vanek should have been done should have done better but it's always hard to to cope with especially when he when he turns and he he does it very quickly but overall I was very satisfied in a way that I say well for the first time I see a team with ambition I team with a plan with a good tactic so hopefully it's not one one time and that is going to be more consistent for for the rest of the season. We'll take it back around to you Rob on Manchester United. I suppose finishing the game against 10 men when you're at home and blowing a late lead is something that Carrick had spoken about after the game and that's not going to go down too well, is it? >> No. Uh and it's not the first time it's happened this season that they conceded a late equalizer at at Everton. Um they were obviously beaten by 10 men against Man City at Old Trafford last month. They were beaten by Newcastle who ha