United went to a back three after the 5-0 defeat against Liverpool
Manchester United first-team coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna were keen for the Red Devils to adopt a different style of play, but their suggestion was dismissed by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it has been reported.
Solskjaer’s time at Old Trafford came to an end following United’s 4-1 defeat at Watford on Saturday, with Carrick named caretaker manager while the search for a new boss takes place.
The ex-United midfielder and first-team coach McKenna wanted United to play with a back three sooner than they eventually did, in an attempt to improve their disappointing defending, according to Manchester Evening News.
Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna were keen for #mufc to adopt a different style of play that was vetoed by Solskjær. They wanted United to play with a back three sooner #mulive [@samuelluckhurst]
— utdreport (@utdreport) November 24, 2021
Solskjaer was planning to change to a 4-3-3 formation in pre-season, however, United remained in a 4-2-3-1 until the 5-0 home thrashing against Liverpool.
The crushing defeat caused the Norwegian to switch to a back three against Tottenham, Atalanta and Manchester City.
Despite beating Spurs 3-0 in the formation, United reverted to a back four before half-time at Atalanta due to injury to defender Raphael Varane.
The Red Devils also changed to a back four for the second-half against City after going two goals down.
In Carrick’s first game in the hot-seat against Villarreal, United started the match in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but it appeared that they were adopting a 4-4-2 without the ball and a 4-3-3 when they had possession.
There was widespread confusion that none of Solskjaer’s backroom staff were sacked with him on Sunday, with Carrick and McKenna known to be heavily involved in training the players.
It has also been suggested that a host of United players are unhappy with McKenna‘s ‘dry and school-teacherly’ approach.
Prior to the Champions League match on Tuesday, Paul Scholes claimed that he would be ’embarrassed’ to be part of Manchester United’s staff after the 4-1 thrashing by Watford, criticising Carrick, McKenna, and assistant manager Mike Phelan.
Related links:
- Man Utd ‘need the very best’ manager in charge, Paul Scholes insists
- Paul Scholes didn’t hold back in assessment ’embarrassing’ Man United
- Man United players unhappy with assistant manager’s ‘school teacher’ approach
