Player ratings from Manchester United
’s embarrassing 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League League Phase.Senne Lammens – 4
It never looks good when you concede four. Though there wasn’t much he could do about any of them.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Seemed to be the only player providing composure and calmness in the first half.
Matthijs de Ligt – 3
A tough spot for someone seeing his first action in 11 months. But his mobility was a concern before the injury, and the lack of it was on full display tonight.
Harry
Maguire – 3
Had to cover for Mazraoui a lot in the first half forcing him to cover large spaces. Tough assignment playing next to two players who don’t complement him and could provide cover for his weaknesses, which exposed him a few times. Did his best in the circumstances.
Noussair Mazraoui – 1
Como were targeting him right from the first whistle and he looked well off the pace. Maybe not his fault that he’s viewed as a “versatile” player who can play on either side. Had to be switched to the right side at halftime for his own protection.
Andre Santos – 4
Not his best outing and started to lose his head in the later stages of the first half. Removed at halftime.
Mason Mount – 3
How much can Mount be blamed for being deployed in central midfield when he is very much not a central midfielder? He tried to be the tempo setter in the team today but that is not him. Defensively was as much of a liability as you’d expect from a player who is playing out of position.
Matheus Cunha- 3
Tactical role didn’t fit his skillset. Struggled to make an impact but once again displayed poor decision making when the ball came to him. Pulled at halftime.
Youri Tielemans – 3
Continues to be United’s best chance creator but best is by default. He’s not putting up numbers that would be the best in any half decent team. Lack of mobility out of possession continues to be an issue.
Bruno Fernandes – 2
Every game Bruno seems to be moving closer and closer to the “washed” end of the spectrum. Withdrawn just after the hour mark shows how much he wasn’t on it.
Bryan Mbeumo – 3
Put in a tactical role that had him dropping deep only to keep trying to make runs in behind that were well marked. When playing out wide he has to do a lot more possession stuff that just isn’t his game, but in most every other game he’s still found a big chance or two in front of goal. The latter didn’t happen today.
Subs
Amad – 5
The most lively player for United in the second half, and far more lively than he was at the weekend. Had very little support. Gets a personal reward with an assist on the consolation goal.
Carlos Baleba – 4
Got turned too easily in the buildup to the second goal. Made the costly mistake that set up the third goal. Not the impact he was hoping for.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Scored the consolation goal.
Harry Amass – N/A
Came on too late to do anything
Shea Lacey – N/A
Just a cameo appearance.
Manager
Michael Carrick – 2
It’s hard to put too much blame at his feet and simultaneously it’s hard to not put too much blame at his feet. I don’t think there’s a world where he’d choose this particular starting XI if other players were available. The injuries United have wracked up already have been both devastating but also predictable.
Everything Lisandro Martinez said last week was true. The board are not doing a good job. They have failed the squad and they have failed Michael Carrick. They didn’t do enough this summer, which is perhaps the reason Carrick is still in the job. The financial situation is not great and Carrick isn’t someone who is going to rock the boat as the club can’t invest in the first team as much as needed. But it wasn’t supposed to be this bad either. For every excuse Carrick has there is the genuine problem with what we’re seeing on the pitch.
The team is getting picked apart far too easily. They’re getting picked apart in predictable ways. The tactical plan United had against Como did not match the skill set of the players Carrick picked. It’s not the first time this season that that’s happened. Carrick lead United to a charge up the table last season because he was excellent at utilizing his squad, putting players in their best positions to succeed and hiding their weaknesses. He’s not doing any of that this year. Why not? Until he can answer that, this spiral will continue. And if he can’t answer it, he won’t be in a job much longer.
