Manchester United have sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the humiliating defeat against Watford and have announced that Michael Carrick will be in charge of the first team until an interim manager is identified. It clearly shows that there was no plan to to replace Solskjaer even after the defeats against Liverpool and Man City and the international break was not used to line up any replacements. Until they appoint an interim manager,  it is up to Michael Carrick to steady the ship as United’s season can still be salvaged especially in the Champions League.

Manchester United’s 4-2-3-1 formation against Villarreal under Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick has been a coach under Solskjaer at Manchester United. So we can expect him to continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation as he would have had significant input in Solskjaer’s choice of tactics and formation. The changes we might see would be in midfield where surely Carrick will start Van de Beek who was probably United’s best player in their game against Watford. Fred, who didn’t play at the weekend will partner the Dutchman in midfield. We can also expect Eric Bailly who put in a good performance in  United’s last European game against Atalanta to come on for Lindelof. Harry Maguire will continue to start even though he is out of form because of his upcoming suspension in the Premier League.

Carrick might want United to play on the front foot but considering their form and the opposition, United will probably sit back and try to hit Villarreal on the counter. Rashford and Jadon Sancho’s pace on the wings will be very important for United’s counter attacks but they have to do a job tracking back when United are without the ball. Attacking players tracking back is something which has been missing at Manchester United and Carrick will try to ensure that it doesn’t repeat.