Michael Carrick finally suffered his first defeat as Manchester United interim coach in his 11th game in charge of the club as interim coach over two stints, following a 2-1 defeat at 10-man Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
William Osula’s late solo goal condemned his team to a first defeat despite playing the whole of the second-half a man up, after Jacob Ramsey’s red card before half-time made it appear they could make it three straight wins.
Anthony Gordon won and converted a penalty moments after the dismissal, but United fired back before halftime, as Casemiro headed home Bruno Fernandes‘ free-kick deep into a three-minute added time that lasted more than seven.
The failure to take advantage of the situation cost them later in the game as Osula produced a beautiful solo goal on the counter, doing it all on his own before unleashing a left-footed curling strike into the far corner to win it.
Defeat of such nature will surely hurt, but it takes nothing away from Michael Carrick and the wonderful job he has so far done at the club, and this setback is just another result, not one that signalled a downfall.
No cause for alarm with Michael Carrick
Manchester United’s conceded goals at Newcastle United were so avoidable, because they are both down to a lack of concentration by individuals, like Casemiro, who was caught in possession by Gordon in the build-up to the penalty for the opener.
The second was even more painful. Looking to win it late on, United committed too much forward, and lazily returned when the attack broke down, allowing Osula to have an easy chance of getting a shot away.
Despite the result, United looked dangerous all through, and Newcastle United will have Aaron Ramsdale to thank for keeping them in the game, with just one of the visitors’ four big chances beating him.
United remain third after Aston Villa’s loss to Chelsea, and will have the opportunity to extend their lead by beating Unai Emery’s side in their next game at Old Trafford, and with their current run of form, a return to the Champions League is inevitable.
The coaching role at Manchester United may still be in contention, but Michael Carrick has so far thrived in the audition, and if nothing serious goes wrong between now and the end of the season, then the club has no cause not to trust the process under one of their own.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
1 Comment
Nice Read. Thanks for everytime Masterpiece