Michael Carrick has been accused of disrupting Manchester United’s attacking balance by forcing Marcus Rashford back into his starting XI.
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney questioned Carrick’s selection decisions following United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham, arguing that Matheus Cunha has been moved away from his most effective position to accommodate Rashford.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney described Rashford’s current form as “bang average” and said Carrick was effectively “shoehorning” the forward into the team.
His argument centres on the structure of United’s attack.
Cunha had operated effectively from the left, but Rashford’s return to the starting side has required Carrick to alter how his attacking players are positioned.
Rashford has yet to register a Premier League goal or assist this season, despite starting four of United’s opening five league matches.
Cunha, meanwhile, scored the 89th-minute equaliser at Fulham and has increasingly been used away from the left-sided role Deeney believes suits him best.
Simon Jordan agreed with the broader criticism of United’s handling of Rashford, arguing that the club should have made a clean break with the forward during the summer.
The discussion comes as Carrick faces increasing scrutiny over his team selection following a start that has produced only five points from five Premier League games.
Rashford’s immediate availability is also uncertain after he picked up a fitness issue at Fulham and was subsequently reported to be likely to withdraw from England duty.
For Carrick, the selection question remains: whether accommodating Rashford improves United’s attack overall or compromises the positioning of players such as Cunha who had already established effective roles in the side.
