Manchester United have lost back-to-back matches, raising concerns about their form

Michael Carrick faces mounting pressure as Manchester United prepare to take on Fulham following consecutive defeats. The team's recent loss to Brighton highlighted significant defensive issues, with captain Youri Tielemans admitting that the players stopped competing after conceding two goals. Carrick's side appeared disjointed, failing to respond effectively despite substitutions, raising concerns about their current form and ability to recover from setbacks.

Initially, Carrick and his coaching staff received praise for tightening United's defence, leading to notable victories against top teams. However, the recent performances have exposed vulnerabilities, with the team conceding two goals in three of their four Premier League matches this season. The defensive unit's coherence and shape have come under scrutiny, particularly following the Brighton match, where a goalkeeping error compounded existing issues.

Left-back remains a critical concern for Carrick, although he has not publicly acknowledged it. The absence of Luke Shaw due to injury has left United vulnerable, and attempts to fill the gap with Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu have not yielded satisfactory results. The lack of a long-term solution in this position has raised questions about the club's transfer strategy and their ability to address weaknesses in the squad.

Despite the team's struggles, Carrick's job security has not been seriously questioned yet, as United has accumulated the most points in the league since his return in January. However, a loss against Fulham could ignite discussions about his future. Carrick has been dealt a challenging hand, with limited transfer activity in the summer, complicating efforts to strengthen the squad. The pressure is on him to navigate these difficulties and restore confidence within the team.

via Sky Sports