Manchester United manager Michael Carrick’s position is coming under increasing scrutiny as the Red Devils head into the international break with just five points from five Premier League matches.
Carrick’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on Sunday despite having 25 shots, a result that leaves them 12th in the table, some ten points off pace-setters Manchester City.
It capped off a miserable week for the Red Devils, who were beaten by a 10-man City side in the derby before throwing away a two-goal lead at home to Brighton in the League Cup, all against the backdrop of teenage sensation JJ Gabriel requesting to cancel his registration and leave the club.
Gary Neville did not hold back after the Fulham draw, branding a passage of second-half play as “the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen” and labelling the effort from Carrick’s players as “absolutely pathetic”.
|
Man Utd running stats this season |
Value |
PL Rank |
|---|---|---|
|
Distance at high intensity (km) |
19.03 |
20th |
|
Time at high intensity (mins) |
49.6 |
20th |
|
Sprints |
243 |
20th |
|
Time sprinting (mins) |
9.2 |
20th |
|
% time walking out of possession |
51.1% |
17th |
The manager, for his part, pushed back on suggestions his side lack fitness or intensity, insisting his players finished the game strongly and pointing to Matheus Cunha’s deflected late equaliser as evidence.
“The way we finished the game, actually, it didn’t look like that. We finished the game really strong actually, and kept pushing. I don’t think that’s an issue, no.”
The United boss also addressed being booed by his own supporters after substituting Kobbie Mainoo late on, saying he understood the emotion involved but did not take offence to the reaction.
Manchester United have had more touches in the opposition box than any other Premier League team so far this season (182). By contrast, their opponents have the fewest (92).
While Carrick’s job is believed to be safe in the short-term and the former interim boss is in no danger of being sacked during the international break, we revealed this week that Kieran McKenna is keen on the job, and Football Insider have now shared another name in the running.
Man Utd “very keen” on Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler
According to former United chief scout Mick Brown, Old Trafford chiefs are big fans of Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler and there is a belief he could be “lured away” by a top club.
“Any top club in the Premier League, or in the world, who need a new manager will be looking at Hurzeler,” Brown told Football Insider. “He’s done a fantastic job with Brighton to get them where they have been over the last couple of years, and he’s doing well again this year, they’re now up to third in the table.
“So I have no doubt that some of these top clubs are very keen on him, and I’m told that obviously includes the likes of Man United and Tottenham. I would be surprised if it was something they were looking to do in the immediate future, I don’t think either club wants to have a change of manager this early in the season.
“But if they do decide to pull the trigger, Hurzeler is going to be high on their lists, because he’s always spoken about very highly in these circles. After what he’s doing with Brighton this season, it might be difficult to get him out of there because they’re very happy with him and it seems like he’s happy there.
“But if a top club comes calling they might be able to test Brighton’s resolve and potentially lure him away.”
What is Hurzeler’s style of play?
So what could United fans expect if Hurzeler was to walk through the Old Trafford door? Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen offered some insight after their stunning 3-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday, crediting the German for instilling a clear identity focused on the exact kind of intensity United missed at Fulham.
“He has his own principles and his own style, and I think we’re still building. But we’re getting better every single time,” said Verbruggen.
“On Saturday you could see his ideas really clearly and what makes them so strong. The way we win second balls, the way we’re in front of our opponents, the way we win our personal duels, the way we control the ball when we can, how much we can switch between short and long, and how tough it is to play against us when we bring that intensity.
“That is the DNA of this team, and that’s what the gaffer has brought in. We executed it very well for the most part against Arsenal, so that’s big praise for him.
“Every day in training, we just try to continue to improve, try and always be positive but are never satisfied. There’s no secret, it’s just hard work and dedication and Saturday was a day where we got rewarded.”
The win over Arsenal carried extra significance given Hurzeler’s spat with Mikel Arteta last season, when he claimed only one team on the pitch had tried to play football. Arteta himself admitted before this latest meeting that Hurzeler has done a “remarkable” job at Brighton – praise that will only have been amplified by the result.
For now, Carrick does not appear to be in any immediate danger. But with a desperate Tottenham side to come after the international break, followed by tough away trips to Atletico Madrid and Leeds, that could change quickly.