Damning data: stats that show Michael Carrick’s luck was bound to run out | Andrew Beasley

Andrew Beasley argues that Michael Carrick's struggles at Manchester United were inevitable following an unsustainable, fortune-aided run during his interim spell last season. Despite accumulating 46 Premier League points under Carrick, United currently sit 16th and are winless in eight matches across all competitions. Heavy defeats against Como and Bournemouth have placed the manager's position under severe scrutiny.

According to underlying data, United outperformed their expected points by 12.7 last season, masking major tactical shortcomings. Beasley highlights that Carrick's side struggles to break down opponents when dominating possession, takes low-quality shots from distance, and has experienced a notable drop in sprinting intensity compared to the 2025-26 campaign.