MICHAEL CARRICK had a tough start by facing Manchester City in his first game.
The interim Manchester United boss overcame that initial hurdle in some style.
But things get even harder for his second game – an away trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners have not lost a league game at the Emirates since May.
So how does Carrick maintain his perfect, dream start and cause damage to Arsenal’s title charge? Or are Mikel Arteta’s side too strong?
SunSport’s tactical guru Dean Scoggins breaks down the key battlegrounds that will determine how Sunday plays out…
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CAN UNITED’S MIDFIELD TWO COPE WITH ARSENAL’S THREE?
People are asking if United can cope with that Arsenal midfield three of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
If you bring the striker into the shape, Arsenal straight away look like a 3-2-3-2.
To combat this, Bruno Fernandes is going to have a huge job to do, possibly needing a wide player dragged in to help him.
It looks like parking the bus from Michael Carrick, but you have to do something to combat that Arsenal midfield.
They might create a box midfield by bringing a full-back or wide player like Patrick Dorgu inside to create a 4v3 overload.
I suspect Dorgu will drop back in to give extra help against Bukayo Saka while still offering an out-ball on the counter.
If United sit behind the ball and come away with a point, realistically that would be a good result for them.
WHY DOES ARSENAL’S ATTACK SEEM LOPSIDED AGAIN?
Arsenal look like they’re only playing down one side again, specifically the right with Saka.
I think this is a Jurrien Timber at left-back issue, because his tendency is to go inside as an inverted full-back.
Unlike Riccardo Calafiori who was a marauding full-back, Timber joins the front line centrally, leaving no width on the left.
This encourages opponents to defend across because if they’ve only got one man in the box, it’s easier to stop.
To solve that, I’d suggest bringing Noni Madueke back on the left to provide a left-footed option to go up the outside.
William Saliba is getting loads of the ball, but Arsenal need him having an impact in dangerous areas rather than just passing it to Saka.
It’s got to be width, width, width against Manchester United to stretch that five-man defensive shape.
GYOKERES OR JESUS UP FRONT AND WHAT’S HAPPENED TO EZE?!
I think it’s going to be Viktor Gyokeres up front, and he will try to drag Lisandro Martinez out of position.
Gyokeres is going to make dozens of runs up and down that area to get in those dangerous positions.
However, Gabriel Jesus gives you that little link-up play on the edge of the box, like we saw when Eberechi Eze played him in during the Champions League.
Speaking of Eze, the reality is that Odegaard is first-choice and he’s going to play because he is the captain.
Eze isn’t a natural left winger and occupies similar spaces to Declan Rice when attacking.
But he remains an amazing option off the bench if they need to switch things up in the last 20 minutes.
Imagine having Eze attacking that space alongside Gyokeres and Saka late in the game – that is pretty frightening.
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