How Carrick’s Man Utd are shaping up for Premier League season
Manchester United's new head coach Michael Carrick has spent pre-season shaping a playing style that leans back into the club's attacking traditions, after previous managers struggled to bed in a slower, possession-based approach. Carrick has said he wants his side to win while also being "exciting", echoing former manager Sir Alex Ferguson's belief that the club has a duty to entertain fans, ahead of United's Premier League opener away to Hull City this Saturday.
Tactically, Carrick has encouraged goalkeeper Senne Lammens to build play short from the back in a 4-2-4 shape, reversing predecessor Ruben Amorim's preference for longer, safer distribution. Rather than relying on pre-planned passing routines, United now look to escape pressure through fluid trios of players combining and making third-man runs, with new midfield signings Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Mason Mount helping progress the ball and suiting the strengths of returning player Kobbie Mainoo.
- Carrick wants Man Utd to combine winning football with entertainment
- Team now builds play short from the back via Lammens
- Fluid passing trios and third-man runs replace rigid pre-set routines
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Manchester United begin the new Premier League season under a fresh head coach, Michael Carrick, who took over after previous appointments failed to settle into a workable style of play. Carrick spent pre-season working on a more attacking approach, drawing on the club's history of expansive, entertaining football rather than the cautious, possession-heavy football tried by his predecessors. United open their league campaign away at Hull City.
Central to the change is a shift in how the team builds attacks from the back. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens has been asked to play short passes out from defence in a 4-2-4 formation, a departure from the longer, safer approach favoured under previous manager Ruben Amorim. The team now aims to move the ball through quick combinations between small groups of players rather than following fixed passing patterns.
This change matters because it reflects a broader question about United's identity and form after a difficult period for the club. New signings Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Mason Mount have joined the midfield, alongside academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, and how well they adapt to Carrick's system is likely to shape the team's results in the coming season.