Manchester United remains in a precarious position in the Premier League, sitting 13th after earning just four points from their first four matches, including a recent 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Why it matters: The team's poor start raises serious questions about Michael Carrick's tactics and whether he can replicate the success he had as interim manager last season.
United's current league standing is concerning, with only four points from four games: a 2-0 loss to Hull, a 5-2 victory over Ipswich, a 2-2 draw with Everton, and the recent loss to City.
After a Champions League win against Sabah, the derby defeat to City came just three days later, with City having 48 hours more rest following their match against Porto.
United will host Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and then travel to Fulham for their next league match on Sunday.
Driving the news: The defeat to City has intensified scrutiny of Carrick’s managerial approach, especially after he guided the team to a third-place finish last season as interim coach.
In his permanent role, Carrick's results have worsened, prompting comparisons to Ole Gunnar Solskjær's tumultuous tenure.
For the first time in 12 home Premier League games under Carrick, United recorded less than 1.0 expected goals (0.95) in the loss to City.
Phil Foden’s red card in the 23rd minute gave United a man advantage, but they failed to capitalize on it.
State of play: The tactical adjustments made by Carrick at halftime have drawn criticism, particularly as United struggled to break down City's low block defense.
After Foden's dismissal, United initially created promising situations, including a left-sided overload with six players ahead of City's two center-backs.
As the game progressed, Carrick's strategy shifted to a more symmetrical approach, which hampered United's ability to exploit City's defensive weaknesses.
Enzo Maresca, City's manager, noted that the game became more difficult for both teams after the red card, highlighting United's reliance on transitions and space.
The big picture: The early season struggles raise concerns about Carrick's long-term viability as manager.
Critics point to Carrick's tactical decisions, especially after halftime, which appeared to simplify City's defensive setup instead of challenging it.
United’s summer signings, including Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, have yet to make a meaningful impact, raising questions about recruitment strategy.
With only one start for Santos and minimal contributions from Tielemans, the £148 million investment in new players has yet to pay off.
What they're saying: The discourse around Carrick and the team's performance is growing increasingly pointed.
Fans and analysts alike are questioning whether Carrick can adapt his tactics to the demands of the Premier League.
"The game with 10 players became more difficult for us," Maresca said, indicating that both teams faced challenges, but United's struggles were particularly pronounced.
Some believe Carrick's changes at halftime undermined the initial momentum United had established.
By the numbers: The statistics reveal a troubling trend for Manchester United.
United's xG (expected goals) of 0.95 against City marks a low point in Carrick's tenure.
Benjamin Sesko, who scored in the Champions League, is currently tied as the team's third-highest scorer in the league with two goals, behind Bruno Fernandes (three) and Bryan Mbeumo (two).
Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford have yet to score in the league this season, with zero goals from four and three starts, respectively.
What's next: United's upcoming fixtures will be telling in determining Carrick's future.
The match against Brighton in the Carabao Cup could provide an opportunity for redemption, but the league match against Fulham will be more telling.
With the international break approaching, Carrick may face increased pressure to secure positive results soon.
As the team looks to regain form, the effectiveness of new signings and tactical adjustments will be closely monitored.