Michael Carrick’s time in charge has seen Manchester United lose just twice in 11 games earning 23 points in the process.
There has been a refreshing attacking feel to Man Utd with Bruno Fernandes moved further up the pitch so the team can build around him as well as shunning Ruben Amorim’s rigid 3-5-2/3-4-3.
There was never enough games under the former Sporting CP manager where you felt as though it was the ‘United Way’ of playing or they created enough chances, so in that sense, Carrick has been a breath of fresh air.
However, with the honeymoon period over, he has ran into problems. One win in the last four matches and two defeats in that spell to Leeds United and Newcastle United has led to doubts over whether Carrick should be considered for the permanent job.
The performances have tailed off since the start of Carrick’s interim spell with rust clearly on show against teams like Leeds, Crystal Palace and West Ham United.
Bearing that in mind, it’s worth analysing whether Man Utd have actually improved under Carrick or have been grinding out wins through their attack.
In this piece, we’ll take a look at the attacking and defensive statistics and deliver a verdict on whether the former Champions League winner has improved the English giants.
In this article we’ll cover
Attacking Statistics
Under Carrick, Man Utd have scored more per 90 minutes (1.91) than under Amorim (1.7). Their open play goals per 90 are also higher (1.18 vs 0.95).
As well as this they are more clinical, scoring more from big chances per 90 (1.09 vs 0.9) and missing less big chances per 90 than with the Portuguese manager (1.64 vs 1.85).
Interestingly the amount of chances Man Utd created under both managers is extremely similar with Carrick’s tenure resulting in 11.36 chances created per 90 and Amorim’s 11.9. Whilst the big chances created per 90 are slightly better once again under the former Middlesborough manager (2 vs 1.8).
Carrick’s attack is also shooting more on target per 90 (6.18) than Amorim’s was (5.45).
These stats indicate that Amorim’s side relied more on scoring from set-pieces as the open play goals under Carrick have increased with Man Utd becoming more of a clinical team.
Though the amount of chances created is basically the same, the change in style of play has led to the underlying numbers coming out as more positive.
Whilst the increase may seem marginal, open play goals, goals, clinicality and big chances created per 90 have all increased and that’s where you can point to as a strength of Carrick since arriving.
They are a team that relies on their attacking options to win matches whereas under Amorim, it felt like they toiled to get the lead and then relaxed whenever they did.
It may be that there has been an over-reliance on Bruno Fernandes or a mix of the other three forwards signed in the summer (Benajmin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha). But that is the reason they were signed in the first place.
Defensive Statistics
On the defensive side of things, the stats once again paint a better picture when taking a look at the games managed by Carrick in terms of the shots Man Utd concede.
The Red Devils concede less shots from inside the box per 90 (6.55 vs 7.95) and less from outside the box per 90 (4.64 vs 3.16).
It’s more positive for Carrick too in terms of the goals conceded per 90 with Man Utd conceding 1.41 with Carrick and 1.58 with Amorim per 90.
Finally, Carrick’s side are also conceding less goals from shots inside the box per 90 (1.25 vs 1.42).
Though Carrick is conceding more goals per 90 (1.58 vs 1.41) this points to a style that is less risk-averse resulting in periods of matches like the one against Leeds United where games can become more end-to-end.
It’s also worth noting that it’s a growing problem he will have to deal with that has emerged recently in his tenure as opposed to the early matches.
As Man Utd have conceded seven goals in their last four games.
Though he will have to deal with games becoming more end-to-end, it should also be noted that in the last two games, they have needed to play with ten men without one of their centre-backs (Lisandro Martinez vs Leeds, Harry Maguire vs Bournemouth).
Why have they improved defensively under Carrick? Well, you can point to matches like Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa where they control games better and hence concede less shots and chances.
The clean sheets per 90 (0.16 vs 0.05) are also a testament to this because even in games like Everton, Crystal Palace or West Ham, whilst teams are getting better at figuring out the ‘new’ way Man Utd attack they still don’t concede many.
Verdict
Though form may have taken a wobble there is a reason why Man Utd fans are miles happier with Carrick and the statistics ultimately back that up.
Perhaps it’s a result of one of the biggest fanbases in the world immediately becoming alarmed whenever results become negative or the culmination of reviewing the performances of late where, though there are doubts to be had, Carrick deserves to rectify the problems he has ran into.
He inherited a complete mess with Amorim making a purposeful statement in the wake of the defeat against Leeds United to get himself sacked.
The underlying numbers support the fact that Carrick has steadied the ship and then some.