Carrick admits Manchester United must keep more clean sheets ahead of Como trip
Michael Carrick did not argue. Asked if Manchester United need more clean sheets, he replied: "You're dead right. I can't argue with that."
He was speaking at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como on 20 October, on the eve of United's Champions League tie against Como on Wednesday. United arrive with one clean sheet in 10 games this season BBC.
A clean sheet means a game without conceding a goal. Carrick said it plainly: "There's definitely parts of our game we have to improve to make things easier. I am fully aware of that."
The numbers tell the story. Last season, Carrick's side kept six clean sheets in his 17 matches in charge, including two in the final three games. Under previous boss Ruben Amorim, United managed nine clean sheets in 63 games. For contrast, Arsenal have seven in 11 matches this season.
Chopping and changing has not helped. Carrick has named the same back four only once. Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw started against Ipswich at Old Trafford on 30 August and kept their places at Everton the following week. That is it.
Shaw shows the disruption. He started all 38 Premier League games last season and the first three this season, but has played only twice since. Dalot became the fifth different player to start at left-back in six games when he filled in there against Leeds.
The Leeds draw on 18 October cost United again. Martinez went off with a thigh injury and did not travel to Italy. Noussair Mazraoui, usually a full-back, slid into a central defensive slot after that blow. Leny Yoro is suspended for Como. Kobbie Mainoo is expected to miss 10 days, while Shaw is out for "a little bit longer," potentially until after the November international break.
There is some relief. Matthijs de Ligt is described as "fit and ready" after 11 months out with a back injury that needed surgery in May.
Left-back remains a puzzle. United spoke to Manchester City about Rayan Ait-Nouri on deadline day. Youngster Harry Amass has played once this season, the final 18 minutes against Sabah FK, the Azerbaijan champions and the only team United have shut out. Carrick said of Amass: "He's right in contention."
That Sabah game brought a 4-0 home win on 10 September, which Carrick called "a big one for us" for the clean sheet as much as the goals Manchester United. Como are next in the league phase, the opening round of the Champions League UEFA. Carrick gave credit to Cesc Fabregas for what he has created at the Italian club.
What makes this stand out is the honesty. No excuses about injuries. No hiding behind tactics. Just a coach admitting his team must defend better to make life easier at the other end.
