Gary Lineker has spotlighted a key area that Michael Carrick must now improve with Manchester United after the interim head coach’s first minor setback this season.
The 65-year-old former England and Barcelona striker linked up with Alan Shearer in the aftermath of Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against West Ham on Tuesday.
Prove me wrong: Michael Carrick has already shown enough to become permanent Man United manager.
13 points from 15 would be title winning form over a full season…
West Ham hosted Man Utd at the London Stadium and Nuno Espirito Santo’s men took the lead early in the second half thanks to midfielder Tomas Soucek.
United were left chasing the Premier League match and Michael Carrick was fortunate to avoid his first defeat as Red Devils interim head coach.
Benjamin Sesko climbed off the bench in the second half and the 22-year-old Slovenia international netted a stunning injury-time equaliser against West Ham.
Gary Lineker’s reaction to Man Utd’s Premier League performance under Michael Carrick against West Ham
Michael Carrick had chalked up four consecutive Premier League wins as Manchester United interim head coach before West Ham derailed the Red Devils’ momentum.
Relegation-threatened West Ham put up a real test for the Red Devils and Gary Lineker pointed out the difference in the Red Devils playing against the Hammers.
How many points will Man Utd get from the next five games? Let’s hear your predictions/hopes…
Michael Carrick took 13 points from his first five…
“On the football side, obviously, Michael Carrick, they’re doing okay, considering where they were a few weeks ago,” he said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“And they’ve climbed the table. They’re in the Champions League spot as we speak.
“We did say, didn’t we, that so far, even the Fulham game that they’ve played in, Fulham tend not to play in a particularly low block.”
Gary Lineker thinks Michael Carrick needs Man Utd to improve in a major area after the West Ham draw
Speaking to Alan Shearer, Lineker pointed out that the West Ham encounter was the “first time” that Carrick’s side crossed paths with a team playing in a low block.
The ex-Match of the Day presenter said that United legend Carrick should head back to the drawing board for how the Red Devils handle a low-block opposition side.
What did Michael Carrick get right with his game management vs West Ham?
“This was the first time they played against a team in a low block and had, I think, 60 odd per cent possession,” he continued.
“And they didn’t win this game. So, I think that’s something that Michael Carrick probably needs to work on.
“And we know it’s difficult against teams with a low block, but that was generally, they’ve done better against the good teams.”
United will now travel to Goodison Park on 23rd February, with the Red Devils’ Premier League clash against Everton slated for an 8pm kick-off time in the UK.
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