Carrick's Leeds Capitulation Raises Serious Questions Over United's Managerial Direction

Michael Carrick ought to be ruled out of contention for the Manchester United post following that abysmal showing against Leeds, particularly given his questionable decision to field Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

There was a sinking feeling this one might go badly, though few predicted quite how comprehensively the wheels would come off. United have been woefully inconsistent against lower-division sides throughout the season—points have been dropped against every team in the bottom seven, with Palace representing the only side beaten twice. At best, it's been a lottery.

The red card controversy will dominate the post-match narrative, but it shouldn't obscure the fundamental issue: Leeds were utterly superior and United deserved everything they got. Before Lisandro Martínez's dismissal, Leeds were playing inspired football while United looked pedestrian. The performance only deteriorated further, and frankly, a four-goal defeat wouldn't have flattered the Yorkshire side.

The Ugarte Question

Carrick's team selection proved baffling. Starting Ugarte in the middle of the park offered precious little going forward, particularly against a Leeds setup mirroring Amorim's system with just two central midfielders. Dropping Bruno Fernandes alongside Casemiro with Mount operating higher would likely have been far more effective. When substitutions finally arrived, their tardiness suggested hesitation rather than authority—and when Ugarte remained on the pitch, eyebrows were raised across the stadium.

The Red Card Conundrum

As for Martínez's dismissal, the incident hardly screams violent conduct. Yes, it was foolish—grabbing an opponent's hair is never advisable—but it lacked any genuine malice or force. Comparing it to Calvert-Lewin's earlier challenge on Yoro, which appeared significantly more robust, raises questions about consistency. The red card was harsh; yellow would have been proportionate. Instead of defending his player, Carrick should be demanding an apology to the supporters for such needless stupidity.

The Bigger Picture

United remain well-positioned for Champions League qualification, chiefly because the teams below have been spectacularly ordinary. Yet one win in four, coupled with just one decent performance in the last seven games (against Villa), paints a worrying picture. The match before that was against ten-man Spurs—hardly a measuring stick.

Those advocating for Carrick's appointment need a reality check. Losing at home to Leeds should disqualify him from serious consideration until several more experienced, proven managers have been properly evaluated. How the squad responds to this setback will tell us much about what the future holds.

Casemiro's Silver Lining

Credit to Casemiro, who continues to defy his advancing years with consistently commanding displays. At an age when most midfielders fade, he keeps finding new gears. The shame is that United cannot provide him with silverware to match his performances. A replacement goalscoring midfielder must be lined up, and hopefully Bruno stays to finally claim the Premier League trophy his talent deserves.

United squandered a genuine opportunity to strengthen their grip on fourth place. That hurts far more than any refereeing controversy.