MANCHESTER UNITED is gearing up to take on Leeds this weekend in a match that may influence Michael Carrick’s future as head coach.

The club legend is facing considerable criticism after a disappointing start to the season.

Carrick, 45, has led the team to only two wins in all competitions thus far, with just one of those in the Premier League.

This unsatisfactory performance has left the squad in a precarious situation, currently placed 13th in the league standings.

The manager will be keen for the team to regain their form, especially following a Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Taking on Leeds will be no easy task for Carrick and his team, as Daniel Farke’s side has made a strong start to the season.

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The Yorkshire team is currently sitting in 7th place in the table and is aiming for their third league win of the season.

A defeat for Carrick could mark the end of his time in charge, leading United to seek a new manager once again.

SunSport’s tactical expert Dean Scoggins discusses how Carrick can shift the momentum and secure his position at United…

What has Carrick altered?

Carrick experienced a stellar start to his managerial career at United last season.

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The former midfielder guided the club to a third-place finish in the Premier League, securing Champions League qualification.

Nonetheless, his tactics have remained relatively unchanged this season as he seeks to maintain his composure.

United has yet to formulate a contingency plan or adjust to evolving situations during matches.

Last season, a crucial element of their success was the close positioning of attacking players like Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo.

This strategy provided easier passing options for players to evade the opponent’s pressure.

The concern is that Carrick has tried to apply this tactic uniformly across the pitch this season, which is not suitable for the nuances of football.

For the contest against Leeds, Fernandes should revert to a conventional midfield role, allowing Carlos Baleba to position himself between the two center-backs.

This change would reinforce the defense while permitting Fernandes to act as a playmaker, enabling quick passes into open spaces.

Defensive weaknesses were exposed in the recent match against Atletico, where players frequently rushed toward the ball.

Carrick should instruct his players to engage in high pressing, ensuring that the team moves cohesively.

Is this Carrick’s last chance?

The encounter with Leeds is a pivotal moment for Carrick to showcase his strategic flexibility as a manager.

He should consider a complete overhaul of his current approach and focus on a well-organized defensive setup against Leeds.

The Whites often set tactical traps by shifting players’ roles on the field, which can create confusion and space for them to exploit.

By having Baleba drop into central defense, it would create extra passing avenues and help counter Leeds’ aggressive pressing.

This tactic would complicate marking for Leeds as they pursue United players.

Additionally, Baleba’s retreat would allow the full-backs to extend wide and push higher up the pitch.

How can United physically contend with Leeds?

To compete with Leeds, United could employ a “banana split” strategy instead of simply trying to outrun them.

Carrick’s attacking players can form curved formations to create gaps in the opposition’s defense.

A central attacker would pressure the center-backs while wide players exploit space on the flanks.

Behind the offensive strategy, a compact trio in midfield can serve as a foundation to launch attacks while also regaining possession.

When out of possession, United could shift to a 4-5-1 formation, limiting opportunities for Leeds to take advantage.

It remains vital for United to stay alert during set pieces and aerial threats, which are considerable assets for their opponents.

The approach is straightforward: players must remain compact, recover possession, and dismantle Leeds’ defense with quick, direct attacks.