Manchester United's chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will look to data and AI chief Michael Sansoni to determine whether fine margins or poor performance are behind the club's disappointing start to the season under head coach Michael Carrick.
United are 12th in the Premier League with five points from five games at the first pause of the campaign for a three-week international break. The fixture list has been kind, but Carrick has pointed to fine margins going against his side, including two wonder goals from Everton and a Manchester City winner that should not have counted.
Data points to misfortune
Under Ineos, United have invested heavily in a data and AI department led by Michael Sansoni, a former Mercedes F1 numbers man and University of Southampton graduate. The 45-year-old Carrick is not fighting for his job just yet, but pressure has built.
The numbers tell a more promising story. No Premier League side has had more touches in the opposition box than United's 182, and they rank second for accurate passes, suggesting Carrick's possession mantra is getting through.
Conversion rate the concern
United are second for shots on target but have a conversion rate of 7.1%, comparing dismally with Brighton (16.8%), City (19.1%) and Chelsea (13.9%). In expected goals (xG), they are fourth with 9.9 but have scored only eight times, and their xG difference is 3.3 when in reality it is zero.
Carrick will hope these stats balance out as the season progresses, with the actual table position getting closer to reflecting the numbers. That is likely to be the message from those crunching the numbers inside Old Trafford's data lab. The concern is that promising statistical signs will wither as pressure mounts and morale plummets, but for now there is still reason for optimism and faith in Carrick.
