‘Like a team I’ve never seen’, fumes Jamie Carragher as he spots Man Utd tactic just 20 SECONDS into game

9 months ago 53

JAMIE CARRAGHER slammed Manchester United’s tactics in a brutal analysis of their 2-1 defeat to Fulham.

The Red Devils had won five games in a row, only for them to put in a woeful performance and concede a 97th minute winner to the Cottagers.

Jamie Carragher spotted an issue with Kobbie Mainoo’s positioning just 20 seconds into the game[/caption]

Carragher slammed Man Utd’s lack of compactness from back to front[/caption]

Sky Sports pundit Carragher broke down Man Utd’s display and took aim at Erik ten Hag‘s system.

He spotted a huge flaw in the team’s setup just 20 seconds into the game.

Carragher questioned what instructions were given to Kobbie Mainoo as he was left stranded in a midfield no man’s land straight after kick-off.

The Liverpool legend ranted: “He’s not sure whether he should be closing the holding midfielder or the No10.

“You should know your job straight from the kick-off and that’s down to the coaching staff.

“20 seconds into the game, this is the big problem you have got and it’s been a big problem for Man Utd all season – the space between the back four and midfield.

“The reason why they a poor defensively and can’t cope with counter-attacks – they have got no pace at the back and a lack of legs in midfield.

“They defend like a team I have never seen before.

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“What I mean by that is that they like to press high with a deep block. It’s impossible.

“They are trying to do two things at the same time, you can only do one thing or the other.

“They are all pressing high or defending deep, they are trying to do both.

“We talk about modern defending, being compact in a team is nothing new.

“The first day football was ever invented, being compact was the most important thing as a defensive team.

“In 100 years no matter what happens in football, the most important thing when defending is being compact, it will never go out of fashion.”

Carragher continued to criticise Man Utd in possession, claiming there are no obvious patterns of play and the team are in bad positions to receive passes as they are too high up the pitch.

The pundit explained that Diogo Dalot, Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Victor Lindelof all get caught out when Fulham win the ball back.

He said: “How many times do you see them get counter-attacked and they have to sprint 40 yards back to their own goal – hence why they get so many injuries.”