Kobbie Mainoo put in a superb performance against Leeds on Monday night, as he did for much of Ruben Amorim’s tenure. The midfielder gets better with every game he does not play, proving how influential he has become under Michael Carrick.
Injury meant the midfielder missed out for the first time since the interim head coach took over in January. In his place was Manuel Ugarte, making his first start for Carrick and it was clear to witness his rustiness, as was the case with Lisandro Martínez at centre-back, who re-emerged after two months out injured to replace the suspended Harry Maguire. The 33-year-old was rewarded with confirmation of his new contract last week, while Mainoo is locked in talks with his representatives who will be eager to point out how his absence affected United.
Mainoo and Maguire provide a crucial combination of setting the tempo and example. The midfield is all about neat touches in possession and moving the ball, while the centre-back provides aggression through his ability as “one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes”, a key loss against Leeds. Leny Yoro longed for Maguire’s skillset and was unnerved against Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s aerial and physical threat, as Carrick’s side were put on the back foot from early on, conceding two goals from crosses they failed to defend.
United sit third and are plotting a return to the Champions League next season but this was a reminder of the lack of squad depth available. Ugarte cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain almost two years ago but has never lived up to the price tag and his value certainly did not increase thanks to his efforts on Monday night. His passing was wayward and he saw Jayden Bogle’s run for the opener too late to stop the cross.
Without a game in more than three weeks, everyone was out of rhythm but Ugarte had not started since early January and his presence unsettled Casemiro who lacked confidence as his partner. Between the two of them, they could not cope with the aggression from over the Pennines and were overrun in a crucial area.
Without the distraction of Europe or the domestic cups, Carrick and United have enjoyed an easy schedule by modern standards but this season will never be repeated at Old Trafford. One game a week over a sustained period has permitted plenty of time on the training ground and little reason to rotate players because they are not being overworked and, despite it being April, should not be tiring.
Leeds were at their best and it was difficult to cope with; Daniel Farke’s side’s constant running is a rarity in the modern game and it caught the hosts unaware. They could not settle. It was less tactical and more emotional as a fixture between two heated rivals with plenty of history. Carrick and his charges had plenty of time to plan but it did not help and with a collection of short turnarounds in the offing, they will not be afforded such luxuries again.
There was mitigation for Martínez’s problematic night, having been shoved in to the side, and his frustrations showed with Calvert-Lewin when he was dismissed, even if the decision to send him off will cause lengthy debate. The moment signified that he was willing to use any means necessary to stop the striker and he came out of the situation worse.
The United bench looked weak and there were only four senior players unavailable. Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount were the only two who stood out for having the potential to come on and make a difference. Even when chasing a goal, the backup striker Joshua Zirkzee performed one of the longest warm-ups in history, only to perform ballboy duties, suggesting Jason Wilcox will need to find another forward soon. If United are to get back up to where they want to be, they will require a busy summer of recruitment.
Carrick will take comfort from seeing mental resilience in tough circumstances, admittedly of United’s own making. Even when a player short, Bruno Fernandes was the focal point of the team, pushing his players forward, but the captain turns 32 in September, and while he looks at the peak of his powers now, longevity is never guaranteed.
With Casemiro’s departure already confirmed and Ugarte lacking dependability, it is little wonder United are focusing on central midfield as an area to strengthen. Elliot Anderson is a key target, while Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali are highly-thought of at Old Trafford and finding funds for at least two will be mandatory with more games incoming.
Getting back into Europe will be a fantastic achievement for Carrick and United but to compete on all fronts will require plenty of hard work off the pitch. Leeds laid bare the shortcomings of United’s squad, something Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the hierarchy in the stands will have taken notice of.
