Paul Parker fears that Leny Yoro’s lack of athleticism could see the centre-back ‘struggle’ under Manchester United’s latest interim boss Michael Carrick.
The previous United midfielder has taken the reins at Old Trafford until the tip of the season after the club decided to sack Ruben Amorim.
Carrick, who spent three years in charge at Middlesbrough before being sacked in the summertime, has previously undertaken an interim spell at United, winning two of his three games during a brief spell in late 2021.
However the 44-year-old now returns to the club for an prolonged stint, with United set to delay any everlasting appointment until the summer.
Carrick is prone to move away from Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3-formation, having relied on a possession-heavy 4-2-3-1 approach during his time at Boro.
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And while that change of formation is likely to be a welcome relief to fans, Parker believes that not every player within the squad might be suited to such a front-footed approach.
Specifically, the previous United full-back believes that taking Yoro out of a back three could expose a number of the weaknesses which have been present within the young Frenchman’s game since his £52million move from Lyon in 2024.
‘I believe Yoro struggles in Carrick’s system, I actually do,’ Parker told Metro via online gambling australia. ‘I haven’t seen anything yet on a consistent basis. I’ve seen more consistency from (Ayden) Heaven than what I actually have from Yoro.
‘I believe the back five covered him within the wide area. He had that little little bit of cover in there. But I’ve seen him in a 4, and once he’s exposed, he looks like he’s treading water on a regular basis.
‘He’s not the quickest, not the best of athletes. And I just take a look at what I saw against Brighton, and it’s a priority.
‘If we’re talking about centre-halves to ones, there are three capable centre-halves that United have gotten: Heaven, then there’s Martinez, and also you take a look at De Ligt, who’s a natural leader. Those are the three.’
And elsewhere along the defensive position, Parker has concerns that United’s current crop of full-backs shouldn’t be up to straightforward for Carrick’s tactics either.
‘Luke Shaw hasn’t got the agility, and hasn’t really got the defensive prowess that he might need had when he was younger and pre-injuries as well,’ Parker added.
‘Every part he does now gives away too many fouls through the very fact of not wanting to run that far, to be perfectly honest.
‘I take a look at (Patrick) Dorgu, and he just doesn’t do enough. You simply don’t get enough of him over 90 minutes. I don’t really know what his great strength is, to be perfectly honest.
Carrick’s to-do list – 4 things he must fix quickly to halt slide
Manchester United were incredibly generous leading as much as Christmas and over the festive period, handing out points at home to Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves before draws away to Leeds and Burnley.
But as is stands, they’re firmly inside touching distance of the Champions League spots, just some extent off fifth place.
Even after being knocked out of the FA Cup, there remains to be plenty to salvage from the season – if Carrick and his staff could make some quick fixes.
Solve Sesko’s struggles up front
Benjamin Sesko has had some fleeting moments of promise this season however the jury remains to be out. At times, the Slovenia international has looked effective foil for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, holding the ball up and linking play intelligently in the ultimate third.
But questions over his physicality and unconvincing ending remain. His performance against Burnley largely summed things up – scoring twice with two excellent finishes within the second-half but only after a thoroughly wretched display within the opening 45 where he could barely keep the ball under control.
One other goal against Brighton on Sunday means the 22-year-old has scored more under Darren Fletcher than he did under Amorim. A change of system and playing style has offered early promise.
Abandon the dreaded 3-4-3
It could function an enormous shock were Carrick to stick with the system that became nothing but a cross to bear for Amorim.
Carrick very rarely deviated from a 4-2-3-1 formation at Middlesbrough, sometimes to his detriment, with a scarcity of a ‘plan B’ often cited as one in every of the explanations his failed to attain promotion.
But this technique appears to be perfectly suited to the Red Devils squad. Too often it has been a case of square pegs in round holes for United over the past 12 months. Simplifying matters stands out as the interim boss’ best plan of action within the six months he has.
Reintegrate Mainoo and revive his United fortunes
As he can have been privately hoping for all season, Kobbie Mainoo has managed to outlast Ruben Amorim. With no Premier League starts to his name, it has been a miserable campaign however the change in system will certainly open up a task in midfield for the 20-year-old.
United are desperately wanting the controlling, calm presence Carrick once provided within the engine room. Who higher to show Mainoo the ropes.
It is a two-way street – United need inspiration in midfield and Mainoo must deliver if he’s to face any probability of forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad heading to the World Cup next summer. There might be no more excuses.
Unleash Fernandes in his old role
Restoring Mainoo to midfield and a shift in system could see Bruno Fernandes restored to the more advanced role where he has historically been at his prolific best in Manchester.
The Portugal international scored 44 goals and laid on 35 assists in his 97 games while Carrick served as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant, averaging 0.81 goal contributions per game.
It would require some tinkering with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo also in the image however the rewards might be enormous.
Fernandes has performed admirably in his deeper role this season nevertheless it is further up the pitch where he’s most dangerous. Amid reports the captain has had enough of Old Trafford, keeping him pleased is a top priority.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor,
‘And (Diogo) Dalot at right back, I believe it’s just done its time, to be perfectly honest. He’s been everywhere in the park, and there are too many unnecessary, unaided mistakes.’
Parker, though, is hopeful that Carrick’s interim spell might be an actual positive for the younger players in United’s squad, who weren’t all the time entrusted with regular minutes under Amorim.
‘I’d prefer to think that he’ll are available in there and he’ll be Manchester United and say they’ve got to rebuild,’ he said.
‘He’ll be rebuilding where I believe he’ll get quite a lot of respect for, and that’s using the players who have gotten slightly bit more longevity inside themselves.
‘So I’m Heaven in the guts of defence, and you furthermore may have to take a look at Mainoo. It’s an enormous opportunity for him after what went down and the way things were going for him under Amorim.’
United return to Premier League motion on Saturday as Carrick hosts arch-rivals Manchester City for his game in interim charge.
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