Man Utd lost their first pre-season game against Wrexham, but the solution to the club’s main worry this season is clear for Michael Carrick now.
Pre-season is all about form and fitness, especially the first game in a World Cup year, when more than half the squad is unavailable.
Considering those circumstances, it was great to see Michael Carrick being able to field two separate XIs in the 0-1 loss to Wrexham.
That’s even better because he now has a clear solution to the club’s main problem this season, if he does what Ruben Amorim didn’t.
Name your biggest positive and biggest negative from Man Utd’s game vs Wrexham…
The stats showed how well Man Utd played vs Wrexham…
Michael Carrick must trust the academy this season
United trailed Wrexham at half-time courtesy of a Sam Smith goal, and it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see them run up the score in the second half.
While United fielded an entire academy XI for the second half, Wrexham had all their players available.
However, nobody gave the youngsters that script, as they bossed Wrexham with and without the ball to hammer home their quality.
So good were the academy youngsters that Wrexham’s senior players can count themselves lucky to have come through this game with their lead intact.
From Harry Amass to Jacob Devaney, and Dan Armer to Dan Gore, every youngster played like he belonged at this level.
It would delight Carrick and show him that he must trust the academy this season to provide depth for the first-team.
United play in four competitions this season, and the club doesn’t have an endless pit of cash to pad up the squad.
Carrington is the way to go to fix the lack of depth worry. Carrick simply needs to trust and empower them.
Ruben Amorim didn’t believe in the academy
Amorim’s results at Old Trafford were poor, but he was also sacked for failing the ethos of the club, chief among which is trusting the academy.
Tyler Fletcher captained United’s XI in the second half vs Wrexham – Which young players caught your eye?
Who really impressed you?
He kept complaining about the quality and depth of the squad, all the while talking down some truly exciting prospects in the academy.
Trusting the youngsters creates stars, and that is something Amorim didn’t do nearly enough of.
Carrick can learn from that error, and with the kids proving to him that they are alright, the stage is set for them to surprise a few people in this busy season.
If the Wrexham game was any indication, then Man Utd fans can look forward to a season of many breakouts.
Youth. Courage. Success.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
