MU: Carrick's Gamble at Old Trafford

In the context of the Premier League increasingly emphasizing pragmatic, combative football and utilizing set pieces, Michael Carrick wants to take MU in a different direction: building a style of play centered around midfielders capable of controlling the ball and dictating the tempo of the match.

Less control, more battles

It's not hard to see the trend in the Premier League last season. More and more teams are focusing on duels and set pieces, rather than trying to control the game at all costs.

Premier League matches now resemble physical battles between 11 players on each side. Every duel won can create space, open up opportunities from set pieces, or directly lead to a goal. Even Manchester City, once seen as a model of game control, have often struggled to maintain dominance in midfield.

This trend stems from the fact that more and more teams are willing to push the game at a very high tempo. The playing space is significantly reduced, making it harder for midfielders to control the game through short passes.

The numbers also reflect this change. Two seasons ago, up to four teams had an average possession rate above 60%, while six others maintained around 58%. Last season, only Man City kept an average possession above 60% (60.5%), with Chelsea second at over 58%. This shows that more and more Premier League clubs prioritize winning duels over keeping the ball as much as possible.

It's not easy for MU to go against the trend.

MU's moves in the transfer market show that the Old Trafford club is trying to swim against the current. After parting ways with Casemiro, one of the few remaining top-class defensive midfielders in the Premier League, the 'Red Devils' did not find a direct replacement but brought in Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.

Notably, both Santos and Tielemans have Premier League experience, so they are not unfamiliar with the physical environment. However, neither is a pure defensive midfielder. What made Carrick choose them lies in their technical foundation, ability to hold the ball, and effective distribution over various distances.

These two signings send a clear message from Carrick: He wants to build a MU that can control the game, dictate the tempo, and dominate the midfield. The plan to pull Mason Mount into a deeper midfield role further illustrates this idea. This season is also the first time Carrick has full authority to choose personnel to realize his philosophy.

The priority given to midfielders good on the ball reflects Carrick's own playing mentality when he was a player. Passing ability and game control have always been top criteria in how he builds a team. When he was in charge of Middlesbrough in the Championship, Carrick created a possession-based team with midfielders skilled in distribution like Aidan Morris. However, reality also shows that more possession does not necessarily mean more wins.

The challenge will therefore be much greater when Carrick brings that philosophy to Old Trafford. In a Premier League that prioritizes speed, power, and directness, choosing to go against the trend is always a risky gamble. But if successful, it will also be the path for MU to regain their identity and rightful status.