McCarrick is starting to feel the pressure from United, but after another dismal start to the season this group of players deserves to be put under the microscope.
In fact, it’s the same old story all over again, when expectations levels start to rise, things go wrong and a team built at huge expense withers under the bright lights of Old Trafford.
Such was the case in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, particularly for Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenian who drew the ire of the home fans time and time again against Brighton and Hove Albion.
There have been calls for the 23-year-old to start more often, especially in derbies, but it was a reminder of why he has yet to earn Carrick’s full trust. He’s not the only one…
Why Sesko’s Brighton display is so concerning
There’s no doubt that Cesco will be keen to shed the super-sub tag, but on evidence from midweek he doesn’t seem ready to lead the team on a sustained basis.
The former RB Leipzig man scored against Everton and Sabah but struggled in possession in the Champions League last week.
Indeed, it wasn’t surprising to see Carrick use a more mobile forward line against Manchester City, but the strategy really didn’t work when the visitors were reduced to ten men.
Even when playing at the weekend, Sesco’s impact was minimal, and that was true against the Seagulls as he was noticeably weak and lifeless in the middle.
He lost possession 13 times in just 23 touches, including in the build-up to Brighton’s opener. He was also a yard away from equalizing when Diogo Dalot completed an albeit tame clearance.
The most shocking moment, however, was Sesco’s lackluster performance in the second half, squandering what could have been a clear breakaway opportunity after appearing to think he was offside.
Damn it felt like the performance that supporters had come to expect from his predecessor, Rasmus Hoylund, with the similarities between the two still clearly visible.
Although Carrick’s playing time was limited in Cesc’s defense, he at least completed the shot in front of the goal, and now there may be more pressing problems in the team.
Manchester United overpaid for worse signing than Sesco
It’s too early to judge this summer’s recruitment, but it does feel like Ineos’ plans have come to naught, with attempts at various stages to strengthen the squad.
Last summer, it was all about the forward line, and while Cesko, Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbemo performed well in their first season, the attack was far from finished.
Even so, Jason Wilcox and Co. have made midfield a priority this time around, but on current evidence United have not made any progress in this area.
With Carlos Baleba still out and Youri Tielemans merely filling Casemiro’s place, if that, and Andre Santos looking like another Manuel Ugarte in the making, the merits of his £50m signing remain to be seen.
It must be said that Ineos did not attack the market this summer, but took a cautious approach. Brighton are willing to let go of Baleba after a difficult season. Tielemans is available due to his £35m release clause. Chelsea are more than willing to cash in on the area around Santos to make a tidy profit.
The Red Devils have shopped for bargains and paid the price, with Santos a perfect example, with the Brazilian already missing out on a Premier League spot after a dismal debut away to Hull City.
Even against Sabah, Carrick favored his first-choice pairing of Tielemans and Coby Mainu, with Santos among the players substituted early in the second half as United ceded momentum to a rampaging Seagulls side.
|
Manchester United vs Brighton – Match Statistics |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Manchester United |
Statistics |
brighton |
|
50% |
have |
50% |
|
1.31 |
xG |
2.32 |
|
1 |
Big opportunity |
5 |
|
12 |
lens |
18 |
|
2 |
store |
2 |
|
4 |
corner kick |
3 |
|
5 |
foul |
14 |
|
Chapter 527 |
pass |
Chapter 532 |
|
26 |
Tackle |
20 |
|
14 |
free kick |
5 |
The former Strasbourg loanee actually won 10 of 11 duels on Wednesday night and looked safe and solid, but that was all, failing to convert a single key pass and finishing with just 87% accuracy last time out.
When United’s rivals are investing heavily in ready-made midfielders such as Mateusz Fernandez, Elliott Anderson and Bruno Guimarães, investing £50m on a player who started just 13 Premier League games last season does seem mind-boggling.
It’s early days, but Ineos has paid for this move, and indeed it’s hard to see the deal as an overpayment.
For example, according to Transfermarkt , the 22-year-old’s actual net worth is thought to be Close to €40m (£34m)far less than what the Old Trafford team paid to sign him.
At least as far as Cesko is concerned, despite all his shortcomings, with nine goals scored in just 19 games under Michael Carrick, only eight of which were starts, there are still signs of life for the Slovenian.
For Santos, it already feels like the £50m could have been better spent elsewhere in the squad, including at the back, while Ineos appear to have paid too much for a player already firmly behind in the midfield pecking order.