Saha Faults Carrick’s Slow Style Of Play At Manchester United

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has voiced sharp criticism over the team’s tactical approach under Michael Carrick, arguing that a sluggish tempo and overly methodical possession style are blunting the side’s attacking edge.

While acknowledging Carrick’s deep football intelligence, hallmark traits of his legendary playing career, Saha in a chat with Betano, suggested that translating that calm demeanor into a dugout philosophy has sometimes resulted in overly cautious performances.

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Saha pointed out that the team too often sidesteps risk, circulating the ball laterally rather than driving forward with the urgency demanded in the Premier League.

The former French international believes the slow build-up gives opposing defenses too much time to reset, leaving top-tier forwards isolated and starved of quick service.

“The problem with Manchester United this season is not the players.

“Benjamin Sesko missed pre-season after his injury. Some players took their time to return after the World Cup. In truth I don’t think it was a good summer transfer window for Manchester United. But Michael Carrick has to adapt.

“I don’t see a team that has the animation it needs. Manchester United needs a system to play good football, with patterns of play. I think the way they are playing now is dangerous to Michael Carrick because this is not down to the players.

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“Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, even Bruno Fernandes need a team that is playing with more fluidity, and I don’t think their teammates are doing that at the moment. The two defensive midfielders look too comfortable passing the ball slowly, side-to-side. It does not provide the sort of passes forward to create those one-on-one moments.

“In transition, they are too slow. It doesn’t matter who you put in these situations, whether it’s Sesko or Cunha or Mbeumo, if one of them isn’t taking more risks and pressing forward, it’s not going to help advance the play.

“United create some chances but they are not clear-cut chances, and they aren’t using the acceleration of Marcus Rashford to get behind teams, so they don’t have that dimension either. It’s all too slow.”