Toughest test yet.
Huge wins over Manchester City and Arsenal were vital but Michael Carrick faces his biggest test yet to date as Manchester United interim. Fulham at Old Trafford.
Now this isn’t about Fulham, this is about Michael Carrick. Old Trafford against Fulham you’d expect United to dominate on and off the ball, Michael Carrick will face a different test from the last two games and have questions to answer.
What to expect from Fulham
Marco Silva has done a top job at Fulham stabilising Fulham into a difficult mid-table side after relegations in their last two premier league campaigns with reckless spending with now Fulham being a difficult side to play against sitting 7th in the table, but what should United expect from Fulham on Sunday?
• 3-1-6 in the attacking phase - Berge in the 6, Left back holds the width with the Right back tucking into a back 3, Iwobi / Smith Rowe / Wilson present between the lines with the fluidity to change positions
• 5-3-2 / 5-4-1 defending - Winger drops low making it a 5 in the last line making it difficult to get pressure on the ball and being forced to suffer at times during games.
• 4-4-2 press - Fulham press man-to-man with the intention of being aggressive
• 4-2-4 build up - Fulham when play short look to play through teams using the quality of Berge / Andersen on the ball, Iwobi can drop low rotating with the left back to push higher and get the team up the pitch with his quality ball carrying. Fulham can also go long into Jimenez and play off him getting Fulham up the pitch.
Fulham possess a good structure in possession whilst obtaining quality players technically but also physically where they can cause problems with their long ball approach.
Harry Wilson has been on fire this season, Jimenez is vital to how Fulham play with the ability to play into him into feet and from long balls Fulham obtain dangerous players 1v1 and can create combinations on their left side with Iwobi, Robinson and Kevin / Chuckweze.
Defensively they can be pinned back against due to their winger dropping into the last line whilst trying to press Man-to-Man.
How can United hurt Fulham?
United so far under Carrick have set up well balanced.
4-4-2 Defending - zonal in a mid block with an emphasis on blocking space shortening the gaps between the midfield and the defence
Shape also stays 4-4-2 when pressing Mbeumo and Bruno split and wait for the triggers on when to press high
4-2-4 - Intention of playing through, Midfield two position themselves on different lines to receive the ball making it harder for the opposition to press, Mbeumo / Fernandes stay close and interchange positions to help run off eachother and create opportunities to get in behind the opposition.
3-2-5 - Shaw tucks, Dalot pushes, Pivot on different lines. Martinez central, players in close proximity to create combinations.
With Dorgu out i assume Carrick will tweak this dynamic, push Casemiro deeper and push Shaw higher receiving on the outside to push Cunha / Mount inside or Dalot tucks and Shaw holds the width.
Nevertheless there is balance in the structure which is provided for top players like Fernandes, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Amad, Cunha to combine with Dalot, Shaw, Maguire and Martinez having the ability to dictate play deep.
Carrick also isn’t fussed on rigid positioning, players have the freedom to interchange positions as long as the principles in the structure remain.
Where can United be hurt?
Assuming Carrick keeps his defensive pairing and structure. When Fulham play long if Jimenez can pin Martinez Fulham will have someone to play off and build from due to Martinez’ physical limitation’s but also when Fulham play through get players like King / Smith Rowe between the lines to receive on the half turn as the centre backs don’t jump.
If Fulham can execute their Man to man press on United they can catch United’s centre backs exposed especially with their pace and runners in attack.
What does Carrick need to show?
Despite his great start at life to United, Carrick will need to implement a system which dominates Fulham on or off the ball. He’s already shown the ability to showcase a balanced side, now to make the next step and dominate teams. Onto you Michael Carrick 🫵🏼
