Manchester United’s early wobble makes Tottenham visit a must-win for Carrick

The Guardian's Will Unwin argues that Manchester United's upcoming home match against Tottenham is a must-win for manager Michael Carrick. United sit 12th in the Premier League with just one win from their opening five games. With difficult October fixtures ahead, Carrick faces pressure to capitalize against a Tottenham side that sits bottom of the league with only two points.

Unwin highlights United's ongoing tactical and personnel issues, noting that despite dominating possession, the team struggles to finish chances and has yet to keep a clean sheet. Injuries have sidelined players including Benjamin Sesko, while £65m summer signing Carlos Baleba is expected to provide a needed boost by making his debut following an ankle injury.