Michael Carrick’s Man United: Style, Structure & Principles
- Matt Smith
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Michael Carrick was recently appointed as manager of Manchester United on an interim basis, and it’s been an impressive start to his tenure. The Red Devils won their first four games under his tutelage, and the former Middlesbrough boss is surely throwing his hat into the ring for a permanent role.
On paper, Carrick has utilised a 4-2-3-1 system, but that’s open to change during different situations. One of the main alterations we’ve seen is getting Bruno Fernandes into advanced positions, and United have benefited from getting him into the final third.
In this article, we’ll look at the structure, in and out of possession, the philosophy, and key principles Carrick has implemented that has seen them pick up some impressive results so far.
In Possession
In terms of United’s build-up, they start with the two centre-backs splitting inside the box, to create space centrally for the midfielders. The two midfielders will use short, sharp movements to create separation from their markers, allowing them to receive a bounce to the centre-backs, who are usually in open space.
The movement of one of the CMs can either be used for them to receive the pass, or as a disguise to find the other midfielder. The end goal is always for the CM to bounce to the centre-back, who is then free to drive up the pitch through the wider channels.
This is where the two forwards come into play. United’s two forwards, usually Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes, drop off the opposition defensive line into the number 10 positions. This creates space for themselves as it’s rare that a defender is going to follow into this area.
This gives United an option to break lines when their centre-back receives the ball, allowing them to bypass the midfield and get into more advanced areas.
This gives freedom for one of the wide players to attack the space centrally, vacated by Mbeumo and Fernandes, but it doesn’t sacrifice their width. If the right-sided attacker comes centrally, the right-sided full-back will push on. The opposition full-back will often follow the run of the right-sided attacker, in this case Amad Diallo, leaving space for Diogo Dalot to bomb on down the right.
Using the CMs to bounce to the centre-backs is a common theme in United’s build-up. It’s a fairly simple method. The opposition is unable to make the centre-backs due to them being inside the box, meaning it’s easy for the CMs to find them after receiving from the goalkeeper. It’s incredibly difficult for the opposition to stop, unless they implement a risky high press, which leaves space further up the pitch.
When United have the ball in the next phase, they often implement a 3-2 shape, with one of the full-backs tucking in to make a back three.
This means the other full-back can push on to create width, allowing one of United’s wide players to tuck in centrally.
This is one of the key components of Carrick’s system which has led to some of their attacking players thriving. The likes of Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo, Amad, and Fernandes are given more freedom to get in between the lines, where they can be more dangerous.
Further up the pitch, Carrick wants to create central space. As mentioned, he wants to see the likes of Fernandes, Cunha, and Mbeumo in dangerous areas, and creating space centrally allows them to thrive.
He does so by having one of his wide players on each side, whether it be a winger or a full-back, staying high and wide, stretching the opposition defensive line.
United’s fluidity in attack makes them incredibly difficult to mark. Amad tucking inside to drag away markers, Fernandes and Mbeumo dropping off the defensive line, players rotating into space vacated by others.
The freedom given to both Fernandes and Mbeumo has been key, but players like Amad, Patrick Dorgu, and Matheus Cunha running off them is just as important.
The rotations regularly mean players create space for themselves and find themselves unmarked. It’s a similar method to Roberto De Zerbi’s build-up - find the free man.
Fernandes’ freedom, Dalot’s willingness to get forward, rotations, and pinning full-backs high and wide with wingers is Carrick’s style of play in the final third in a nutshell.
The rotations allows for combinations, or triangles, all over the pitch. Whenever a player has the ball, they will have at least two players to pass to, and at least one of them being in a progressive position.
When you’re creating wide combinations with players as talented as Mbeumo, Amad, Fernandes, and Cunha, you’re always going to cause problems for the opposition defence and create overloads in dangerous areas.
Transitional moments are also key for Carrick, and this has been something that has been widely spoken about in the media by United pundits. The United DNA. It’s a key reason why Carrick is getting a lot of plaudits from different sections, whether that be media or the fanbase, as there are elements of it being a traditional United side.
Out of Possession
In terms of United’s out-of-possession structure, United sit in a 4-4-2 mid-block, especially against stronger sides such as Manchester City.
The four central players - Mainoo, Casemiro, Fernandes, and Mbeumo - help to prevent the opposition from progressing the ball centrally, and when up against sides like City who like to find their dangerous players in central areas, this is imperative.
United have fluidity both out of possession and in-possession. As long as the 4-4-2 structure is there, it doesn’t matter who is in what position.
As you can see above, Fernandes has dropped into the right side of midfield, with Amad more advanced.
There is fluidity in terms of players' positions, meaning if United are hit in transition, players can drop in and cover to keep the defensive shape.
When in a deeper block, United like to protect the central areas, staying in the width of the 18-yard-box.
This helps prevent City from getting the ball into their dangerous players in and around the penalty area.
If the opposition can shift the ball quickly enough, they’ll often be able to find a wide player in space, but as you can see above, the likes of Amad and Dalot quickly rush out to press the ball.with both of them looking to cover in order to prevent an overload.
Against the stronger sides, Carrick lets the opposition play out, but they look to target certain players as pressing triggers.
Mbeumo and Fernandes are preventing City from playing to the right-sided centre-back and the pivot, meaning Donnarumma only really has the option to play to his left. This triggers the press where United will hunt to try and win the ball back and force defensive errors.
Carrick’s key principles out of possession and to prevent progression through central areas. That’s where most teams are threatening, and if you force them into wide areas, the opposition are relying on wingers creating magic in 1v1 or 1v2 moments, or getting early crosses into the box.
Overall
The most impressive improvement of Carrick from Ruben Amorim is their in-possession style, which is why I’ve heavily focused on that area of their game. Coaching is all about platforming players, getting the best out of them, and working with what you’ve got.
Fernandes is at his best in the final third - get him in dangerous areas. Cunha is excellent when given freedom to roam - create space for him. Mbeumo is a powerful runner and a threat to feet or in behind - play him centrally but with freedom to roam.
It’s been a superb start to Carrick’s tenure, and there’s undoubtedly more to come.
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