Michael Carrick's tactical blueprint for Manchester United's new season

Ahead of the new Premier League campaign, Michael Carrick has made his intentions clear regarding the style of football he wants for his Manchester United side. Emphasizing the club's tradition of entertainment, Carrick is moving away from the slower, possession-heavy approach of recent years in favor of a more vertical and fluid system.

During pre-season, United have frequently utilized a 4-2-4 shape during build-up play. Carrick encourages his players to take risks and play out from the back, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens central to this process. Rather than relying on rigid, pre-planned passing routines, the team is instructed to form temporary triangles of players to escape pressure, relying on individual interpretation and third-man runs to break opposition lines.

The arrival of technically gifted midfielders such as Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Mason Mount has been pivotal to this tactical evolution. Their ability to link play helps United progress the ball quickly, which is essential for maximizing the speed of the team's forward players. However, this high-risk approach requires discipline, as seen in the pre-season defeat to AC Milan, where the midfield struggled to maintain control against a more structured opposition.

Defensively, United are embracing a high-pressing philosophy. By positioning four attackers narrow and high, the team aims to congest the central channels and force turnovers in dangerous areas. This press often doubles as a primary method for chance creation, as demonstrated in their draw against Paris St-Germain.

The upcoming season will test whether Carrick can successfully transition the squad away from their reliance on counter-attacking football. While the tactical shift aims to give United more control, the challenge will be remaining direct and dangerous while managing the defensive gaps that can emerge against sides utilizing deeper, 5-2-3 formations.