Manchester United are set to host bitter rivals Manchester City in what is a hotly anticipated Premier League showdown. This will be Michael Carrick’s first match in charge as Man United’s new interim head coach – a position he took over from Darren Fletcher. With United coming off a disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion, Carrick will surely be looking to state his intentions with a resounding win over Man City, which would surely boost the fans’ morale. In order for the team to pull off an unlikely win, some crucial tactical tweaks will need to be made as Carrick makes his debut in the Old Trafford dugout. Carrick’s guiding principles During his first interview after accepting his new role, Carrick explained how he wants to implement an exciting style of football at United, even saying he wants to be off his seat when watching the team play. This appears to be greatly needed, particularly after the team’s disappointing 2-1 loss to Brighton that saw them bow out of the FA Cup. While United dominated possession at 60% while taking 19 shots, they did little with their control, often appearing subdued and less threatening than the visitors when they attacked. This lethargic attitude is something that desperately needs to be addressed, and Carrick seems to have the right mentality to do this. The new United boss should certainly apply his managerial philosophy to the City game and not adopt an alternative approach simply because of the stature of United’s opponents. After all, a win is not expected, but a decent performance will at least instil some hope in the fanbase and create a positive atmosphere for Carrick. Time to focus Those who saw the Brighton match would know that both goals that United conceded came as a result of a lapse in focus. The defence didn’t play particularly badly against Brighton, but such drops in concentration have greatly damaged United over the course of the season. During their 2-2 draw with Burnley, which was Fletcher’s first match in charge, United appeared fairly cohesive, with the exception of the lackadaisical defence. While United utterly dominated the flow of play, Burnley got two soft goals in order to rescue a point. Carrick needs to ensure that whichever defensive combination he selects, his players remain focused at all times. Of course, this can be helped by selecting a formation that suits his players and doesn’t throw them off their game, as explained in the final point. Select the right formation While Fletcher’s two-game stint as head coach was far from impressive, he did make some inroads in improving his players’ performances. Fletcher used a 4-2-3-1 formation, abandoning Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 setup. This was the right move, given how United have struggled to play with three at the back. While the team still needs to adjust to life with four at the back once again, it is a step forward. In addition to providing a conventional defensive setup, Fletcher’s formation also ensured that his chosen striker could get plenty of service. This saw Benjamin Sesko score three goals in just two games, which suggests that the formation is working in his favour. Carrick should strongly consider adopting a similar approach, as United appeared uncomfortable under Amorim’s formation, and there is no indication that they will successfully adapt. Ultimately, a vulnerable United are not expected to come away with victory over City. Still, this at least takes pressure off the hosts and perhaps gives Carrick room to implement the kind of strategy he wants in order to create the exciting style that he envisions for the club. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Mathew Cohen A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
Tactical analysis: Carrick must implement these three principles to get the perfect start to life at United in blockbuster clash with Man City
