According to The Sun, Carrick claims Manchester United's start hasn't been poor, similar to how Solskjaer viewed difficult periods.

In The Sun's analysis, Carrick insists that Manchester United's start "wasn't poor," yet the article suggests the opposite is true.

During an interview after the Everton match, Carrick stated that Manchester United's start "wasn't poor." The journalist hadn't used the word "poor," but Carrick's defensive interruption revealed his concern—Manchester United had collected only 4 points from matches against Hull City, Ipswich, and Everton.

Carrick's interruption seemed to betray his true thoughts: he didn't believe Manchester United had started the season well.

When the fixtures were announced, Hull City, Ipswich, and Everton were considered near-certain victories for Manchester United. Beyond the two promoted sides, Everton was also dealing with growing tensions between ownership and supporters before that match, and the club's transfer deadline day performance was chaotic.

Moyes barely had enough players to field a complete team. Everton became so depleted at one point that they attempted to sign Zirkzee.

Yet despite this, Everton was more aggressive in attack than Manchester United. They had the best chances in the first half and twice as many shots on target.

Beyond the results, Carrick's press conferences have also been concerning. Sir Alex Ferguson once said he had two matches to face in a week: a football match and a press conference. Carrick clearly doesn't see it that way.

Carrick rarely says anything surprising and seldom provides direct answers.

No one questions his character. Carrick is as genuine as he was as a player, which is one reason Manchester United's leadership values him; it's the opposite of Amorim, especially when a microphone is put in front of him.

This approach wasn't a problem last season, when Manchester United won 12 of 17 matches and lost only 2. It was always believed he would need to adjust his methods once Manchester United hit a rough patch, but he hasn't.

Last Friday, Carrick was asked a relatively straightforward question: Will Manchester United strengthen their defense next summer?

Carrick replied: "Things aren't always that simple."

Fans don't want to hear that, nor do journalists. This evasiveness echoes Solskjaer.

Manchester United has been here before. In 2018, a tough Portuguese manager clashed with the board and was replaced by a club legend who was thrilled to get the job.

Blind allegiance didn't take Solskjaer very far, and his tenure ultimately ended without a trophy.

Carrick and Solskjaer are close. They were teammates and later coached together for nearly three years, and they even competed for the Manchester United manager role in January.

The two have combined 23 years of experience as Manchester United players, so they see things similarly. But this mindset may not deliver the success Manchester United needs today.

Solskjaer's angriest moment in a press conference came when reminded that Robin van Persie had spoken in January 2020 about Solskjaer still smiling after losing to Arsenal.

Carrick is slightly different. When it was suggested that Middlesbrough fans might be surprised by his record at Manchester United last season, he seemed somewhat defensive: "We won some matches."

This season, Carrick appeared mildly irritated when Fjørtoft pointed out Manchester United's lack of "intensity" in their opening defeat to Hull City. Later, when a journalist described the team's performance as "passive," Carrick also disagreed.

Manchester United was, in fact, too passive. They only began attacking actively in the second half, and only after Everton equalized. The team only started performing after being provoked, and this must change.

Carrick's press conferences need to change as well. For several consecutive weeks, he's said he "didn't say" things no one accused him of saying.

Carrick once said: "As for the financial situation and what we can do, that's how it is." When Manchester United's financial constraints were discussed again during the transfer window, Carrick emphasized that he hadn't used the word "limit." This is a cautious response from a cautious person.

Carrick sometimes needs to protect himself first. Manchester United wanted a defender this summer, specifically a left-back, but ultimately signed none. He can't be blamed for that.

Manchester United's defensive problems stem mainly from current management decisions. Manchester United signed Yoro, de Ligt, and Haven, then renewed Maguire's contract. Mazraoui also arrived during the INEOS era.

No one expects Carrick to completely open up and question his superiors. But when he volunteered that Manchester United's start "wasn't poor," he essentially put himself in the line of fire.

Solskjaer never deflected attention toward others. Pogba and his late agent Raiola constantly undermined his authority, and Solskjaer calling Pogba "a golden heart" likely only emboldened him further.

Manchester United players thought Solskjaer was too soft. Long after leaving Manchester United, Solskjaer admitted the dressing room was full of "fragile egos."

During a training camp in Ireland last month, Carrick briefly displayed a tougher speaking style. When discussing the need for more signings, he mentioned "pressing" or "pushing hard" eight times.

Carrick had gone nearly three months without facing the media, leaving some questions unanswered. That was his best performance since taking the Manchester United job on January 13. In the more relaxed atmosphere of Carton House, he also seemed more at ease, despite Amazon's camera presence.

Since then, Carrick has reverted to his old habits, as has Manchester United. This is a bad start.

Traducido por IA.

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