Michael Carrick’s early days in the Old Trafford hot seat have been a whirlwind of late drama and hard-earned points, but Tuesday’s 1–1 draw at West Ham laid bare the stubborn weaknesses that a managerial change alone cannot fix. A 96th‑minute strike from substitute Benjamin Šeško salvaged a point and preserved Carrick’s unbeaten start, yet the performance raised more questions than it answered.
A Fergie‑Time Finish to Soothe the Masses
There was theatre in the rain at the London Stadium. Šeško’s improvised, instinctive finish in stoppage time had the feel of a classic Sir Alex Ferguson moment — a dramatic equaliser that sent travelling fans home buzzing and kept United’s momentum alive. For a manager still building trust, moments like that are gold: they buy belief, headlines and breathing space.
Defensive Grit but Offensive Stagnation
Defensively, United were solid enough to limit West Ham to few clear chances beyond Tomáš Souček’s second‑half opener. Leny Yoro produced two crucial blocks late on to deny a second goal and keep the door open for the comeback. Yet the attacking output was anaemic for long stretches. United dominated possession — nearly 65% — but carved out only three shots on target, one of which was Šeško’s match‑winner. Creativity and cutting edge were in short supply.
The Squad Blueprint Is Under the Microscope
The tactical and personnel issues on display are not new; they predate Carrick. The squad Carrick inherited lacks the wide pace and directness that can unsettle compact, deep‑lying defences. With Ruben Amorim’s 3‑4‑3 blueprint reducing the need for traditional wingers, players like Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony were allowed to depart — leaving Carrick short of the very weapons that might have stretched West Ham’s disciplined block.
Carrick’s Willingness to Gamble
Where Carrick has shown intent is in his willingness to take risks. He threw Šeško on with 20 minutes to go and later sacrificed a defender for another forward, a boldness that echoes the gamble‑taking of United’s past. It nearly backfired, but the late heroics and defensive interventions paid off. Carrick defended his approach: “It’s always worth it to take a risk and get something out of the game,” he said, praising Yoro’s defensive heroics and the team’s resilience.
Short Break, Big Questions Ahead
A point at the London Stadium — where United haven’t won since 2021 — won’t derail Carrick’s early progress. He remains unbeaten in five matches and has rekindled a feel‑good factor around the club. Still, the fixture list offers little respite: upcoming matches against Everton and Crystal Palace will test whether Carrick can turn late drama into consistent dominance.
For now the buzz remains — and so does the haircut that waits for the fan who’s been counting wins. But beneath the late‑night celebrations, the hard work continues: Carrick must find ways to unlock stubborn defences, inject genuine width and pace, and reshape a squad that still shows the limits of a midseason managerial switch.
