The finger-pointing over Manchester United's tactics between senior players and under-fire manager Michael Carrick after the defeat to Como was more like a Wimbledon Centre Court classic than a moment for one of English football's most historic clubs. The fiery quotes following United's 4-1 hammering in the Champions League are a distraction from where the heftiest portion of blame ought to be directed.
Recruitment team under scrutiny
United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, and the club's recruitment team have more to answer for regarding the Red Devils' latest fall than anyone. Carrick's results have been abysmal this season, and the form of captain Bruno Fernandes has not been much better, yet United were tempting fate from the moment the summer transfer window shut.
Veteran Casemiro was always going to be a big loss, but directing 100 per cent of the transfer outlay on midfielders was a grim mistake. That left an ageing, injury-prone Luke Shaw as the club's only recognised left-back, Diogo Dalot as the starting right-back, and Harry Maguire, 33, expected to start in the Premier League and Champions League multiple times a week. It also left no nominal striker good enough as back-up for Benjamin Sesko.
Midfield spending questioned
With Sesko out, Bryan Mbeumo has had to deputise as a one-man forward line, learning on the job. The way he has taken to that role is just about the only tactical element working for United right now.
Youri Tielemans has looked a shoddy imitation of the player he was before joining. The £65million plus add-ons for Carlos Baleba was a good fee for a capable young player, yet even he made a critical error in the lead-up to a Como goal. Risking £50m on Andrey Santos is not a mistake that 'just happens', as Chelsea barely knew what to do with him last season.
Defence left exposed
United's midfield received the whole of their summer transfer outlay, leaving a unit that looks leggier than last season's and which opponents are finding an utter joy to play against. The team has been described as "unrecognisable" from the one that finished in title-winning form under Carrick last term.
With director of recruitment Christopher Vivell focused more on scouting than how far the budget stretches, Wilcox leads the overall transfer strategy and the day-to-day running of the club, so he must bear the most responsibility. United spent well last summer on Mbeumo, Sesko and Matheus Cunha, but spent poorly this summer to revamp a midfield that looks weaker as a result.
The result of leaving the defence as it was: more Champions League goals conceded so far than PSV Eindhoven and Shakhtar Donetsk combined, and more shipped in the Premier League than 19th-place Nottingham Forest. United's catastrophic nosedive belongs to Wilcox as much as it belongs to anyone.
