One of the many gripes supporters had with Ruben Amorim was his constant willingness to speak publicly about matters better suited to private settings.
Michael Carrick is many things, but he is far from a copy of his predecessor. Having spent time with the 45-year-old, I believe he is a good man, but he is not an articulate communicator.
At a time when Manchester United are struggling for cohesion, and performances mirror much of what Old Trafford has endured during the last 13 years, questions about suitability are once again being raised.
The dogs in the streets know that Carrick will bear scrutiny at the best of times, let alone when his side looks absent-minded and incapable of stringing two passes together.
But given his naturally reserved personality and inability to appease some with an answer befitting his station, the United chief can weather bouts of Ineloquent dialogue.
This scenario is generally acceptable when his team is winning because there is little for a naysayer to pick at. Still, facing weekly disappointment, recent press conferences have been slightly laboured.
Combining body language with results, some have suggested the former Middlesbrough man is out of his depth and destined to become the latest casualty on the managerial conveyor belt.
Make no mistake, it is a distinct possibility if results don’t improve quickly. That is the standard of the modern game.
Wednesday evening’s Carabao Cup capitulation against Brighton was one of the most worrying performances we have seen in a very long time.
Furthermore, the 3-2 defeat was not an isolated incident. It magnifies an underwhelming Premier League start and raises further questions about this team’s inability to collect a clean sheet.
To a man, this squad looks incapable of competing athletically, and even the most determined sympathiser will struggle to defend a worrying trend, as reported by Sky Sports.
It’s bad enough that the United hierarchy has allowed Amazon to record behind-the-scenes footage. But that becomes all the more unbearable given the current state of affairs.
Two wins from six outings in all competitions do not equate to pre-season expectations, and it is perfectly reasonable to question this management team and the players.
What we have witnessed is unlike anything offered during Carrick’s interim tenure. As a spectator, who do you blame: the man selecting the team or the players lucky enough to wear the shirt?
Maybe it’s more fitting to blame the transfer strategy that deliberately avoided defensive acquisitions this summer.
For what it’s worth, I’m told Michael retains the backing of his Ineos sporting department. And although there is internal concern, the group is confident of an immediate improvement.
But I can’t help but feel that if the club removed a head coach for the third consecutive season, then this ‘best-in-class’ backroom team should also be reinvigorated with new faces.
Again, maybe that wouldn’t be the worst decision regardless of an upsurge in form. But few would wager any money on that outcome.
With a trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday before a three-week break in domestic fixtures, Carrick must deliver a performance and a result against Fulham. Now is the time for the dressing room to stand together.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our social channels. Photo by News Images via depositphotos.com.
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