Michael Carrick faces a decisive Manchester United fixture on Sunday against Aston Villa, with team selection central to his prospects. The head coach was handed a lifeline on Tuesday night after a 3-2 comeback victory over AS Roma in the Champions League.
Since crisis talks at Carrington, Carrick's future has appeared to hinge on three matches against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa. The Chelsea game started well but ended in a second-half collapse, aided by Lisandro Martinez's reckless four minutes. The first half against Roma looked to add another setback, but a spirited performance rescued both three points and the head coach's position.
Five players Carrick must start
Manchester Evening News believes there are five players who must start on Sunday, regardless of who is available.
Senne Lammens has not matched last season's form, but he remains the club's clear number one. In midweek he was not at fault for either goal, being let down by his defence for the first and second favourite for the penalty. He produced a fine stop to deny Donyell Malen before half-time. Lammens is clear of Karl Darlow and Tom Heaton and must start against Villa.
Leny Yoro was the best of an underwhelming back four, starting at right-back and making no considerable errors, including an impressive last-ditch tackle to avoid a certain Roma goal. With Martinez suspended, Carrick will hope Patrick Dorgu is fit to fill in at left-back, allowing Diogo Dalot to return to right-back. Ayden Heaven struggled in midweek and may need a rest, so moving Yoro inside to play with Harry Maguire or Matthijs de Ligt could be the best option. Either way, there is no scenario where the French international should not start.
Midfield and attacking options
Kobbie Mainoo delivered another mature performance against Roma and is comfortably United's best midfielder. With Carlos Baleba's injury looking serious, it will be imperative that Mainoo stays fit to keep the midfield strong.
Shea Lacey made a point off the bench against Roma, replacing Amad and giving the stadium a boost. He was direct and produced a wonderful assist for Matheus Cunha's winner. It is becoming impossible to overlook Lacey, and with his job on the line, Carrick may as well select United's most promising teenage star.
Matheus Cunha has faced criticism this season, particularly when utilised up front, as his desire to drop deep left the Reds without a focal point. When Bryan Mbeumo swapped with him for the second half, apprehension was understandable, but the decision paid off. Cunha took both his goals well and avoided chasing the ball as United controlled possession. The trick will be for Cunha to resist falling into those bad habits again.
The true test for this quintet and their teammates will be whether they can build on the second-half performance and result, or if it was just a flash in the pan. Sunday is all or nothing for Carrick.
