Neville Poses Uncomfortable Question About Carrick's United Future as Tactics Draw Criticism

Manchester United picked up another victory under Michael Carrick's stewardship, yet the manner of the performance has done little to silence the doubters about the interim manager's long-term suitability for the role.

The Red Devils made hard work of Brentford, with the visitors deserving far better from a first-half display that saw them fashion numerous clear-cut opportunities. Igor Thiago somehow managed to waste three first-half chances without registering a single shot—a remarkable feat of self-sabotage that included a sliding mishap courtesy of Luke Shaw and an inexplicable tumble after Dango Ouattara's work down the flank.

United's breakthrough came through Casemiro's opener, set up by a Bruno Fernandes delivery of the highest calibre. Benjamin Sesko then doubled the advantage on the counter-attack, though again it was Fernandes orchestrating proceedings with a moment of pure class. The Portuguese midfielder's assist tally now stands at 19 for the season, just one shy of the records held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Carrick's ninth win in thirteen games was secured despite a late scare from Mathias Jensen, effectively confirming Champions League football for next season. Yet victory came despite United's approach rather than because of it.

Gary Neville highlighted the fundamental issue with United's setup, questioning the depth of their defensive positioning. The former defender observed that while United's front line pressed aggressively, the cover behind proved insufficient, allowing Brentford to escape the press with ease. It's a far cry from the intelligent, high-intensity pressing deployed by Manchester City or the calculated approaches favoured by elite managers like Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique in European competition.

Carrick did deserve credit for adjusting to a back five at the interval, effectively neutralising Keane Lewis-Potter's threat down United's right flank. However, such tactical tweaks to protect a lead hardly constitute the sophisticated football philosophy expected at a club of United's stature.

The real question hanging over Carrick's future concerns whether his improved results amount to anything more substantive than bringing Kobbie Mainoo into the fold and repositioning Fernandes to his natural position. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly harboured doubts about Carrick due to a preference for stronger personalities in the dugout, but there exists a far more pressing concern: the football United are actually playing remains beneath the standard required of genuine title contenders.

Across thirteen games under Carrick, there has been precious little evidence of a coherent tactical system befitting a top-tier outfit. If an interim manager cannot implement such principles with unlimited training time at his disposal, there's little reason to believe a permanent appointment would yield different results.