The Mail reports that Manchester United's overall performance in the summer transfer window has been deeply disappointing, recruiting only players rejected by other clubs. It is Manchester United's sluggish hierarchy that has placed Carrick in an isolated and powerless position. This summer should have been an opportunity for Manchester United to present a fresh face, but their opening match ended in a shocking defeat to a newly promoted team.

Hull City manager Sergei Yakchenko said his goalkeeper played with ease and composure during the match, as if enjoying an afternoon cup of tea. Manchester United travelled to Humberside and suffered defeat in their first match of the new season, with their overhauled squad showing little attacking threat. Among all the subsequent commentary, Yakchenko's remarks delivered the sharpest criticism.

Against a newly promoted team widely expected to be immediately relegated, Manchester United lost 0-2. Carrick's team failed in defence, their midfield was overrun, and their attack was as weak as a mewling kitten. In footballing terms, it was a complete failure across all lines.

It is too early to draw general conclusions about Manchester United's final league position this season, but the performance level in this match has caused widespread disappointment, which is entirely understandable. There are also worrying signs: the team has failed to build on the progress Carrick made last season.

In May, Manchester United were in excellent form, finishing third in the league and returning to the Champions League. With Pep Guardiola's departure from Manchester City, it was widely predicted that Manchester United would be Arsenal's main rival this season. But throughout the summer, the team's good momentum has gradually eroded.

Many believe the manager has once again been hampered by the club's complex hierarchy. This summer, Manchester United had a rare advantageous position and could have capitalised on the opportunity to strengthen, but all indications suggest they have wasted it.

If this is not another false start, then it is a missed opportunity. This summer should have been a window for Manchester United to showcase a new-look team, but instead they have stagnated. Tielemans is a quality player, but he is not the type of midfielder who can lift a team from third place to championship level.

Whether it is Tielemans or new recruit Baleba, compared to Casemiro, who has left for MLS, do they truly represent an upgrade in ability?

Baleba will join from Brighton for a transfer fee of around £70 million. The player has considerable potential and can bring dynamism and hard tackling, but his development at Brighton stalled last season.

Recruiting him so close to the end of the transfer window suggests either chaotic recruitment planning at the club or that all other transfer targets fell through. The same applies to defence; the team conceded two goals from free kicks at the MKM Stadium, and an ageing and inexperienced defence has numerous problems, yet the club has not made targeted defensive reinforcements. A team unable to offload 33-year-old Harry Maguire clearly has deeper structural issues.

Manchester United missed out on several major summer transfers. Elliot Anderson joined Manchester City, Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea, Bruno Guimarães went to Arsenal, Antony Gordon transferred to Barcelona, Cucurella landed at Real Madrid, and Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham.

It is difficult not to feel that Manchester United have fallen behind their peers, or at least made a slow start. This summer, they were least equipped to handle such a situation. Last summer, Manchester United substantially overhauled their attack, recruiting several quality players and achieving positive results, but this summer's transfer window performance has been deeply disappointing, leaving them able to recruit only players other clubs have rejected.

This also refocuses attention on minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his deputies Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, whose recruitment strategy is now showing weaknesses. Last summer they fixed the roof, and now they plan to renovate the kitchen, but the building's foundation is built on quicksand, which they have completely ignored.

Last season was another tumultuous year, with Rúben Amorim sacked and Carrick doing an excellent job as interim manager. This summer should have been about fully backing Carrick, rewarding his four months of achievement with complete confidence.

But the support given to him appears insufficient. Recruiting Baleba is a step forward, and Manchester United are now heavily linked with 22-year-old Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde. But they are currently shopping at an ordinary general store rather than pursuing top stars at a luxury boutique, which is surely causing disappointment after such high expectations.

Jan Åge Fjørtoft, a renowned Viaplay pundit and former striker for Middlesbrough and Swindon Town, commented that Manchester United lacked the fighting spirit Hull City displayed in the first half on Saturday, conceding two goals before half-time. To this, Carrick replied: "Please, that makes no sense."

It is rare to see Carrick so angry. This is not an emotional outburst; rather, it ironically offers a glimpse of his inner passion. His steadfast support for his players is understandable: playing away against a newly promoted team, with home fans eagerly hoping to upset the giants, many strong teams have stumbled here.

Manchester United do not lack fighting spirit.

But what concerns Carrick more is the overall lack of strength in the team. They could not withstand Hull City's pressure and only occasionally threatened the newly promoted team's defence, with Hull's goalkeeper Ioannis Tzolakis playing with composure throughout the match.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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