Carrick wants more clean sheets to turn season around

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick acknowledged the need for his team to secure more clean sheets in order to turn their season around. In a pre-match news conference at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como, Carrick stated that the lack of shutouts is a concern and that they must improve certain aspects of their game to make it easier to achieve.

Carrick's side has only managed to keep the opposition out once in their last 10 games, with their sole shutout coming against Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK last month. Over the course of his tenure, Carrick has overseen six clean sheets in 17 matches this season, including two in the team's final three games. Prior to that, the team only managed two clean sheets all season under Carrick's predecessor, Ruben Amorim.

In contrast, Arsenal has recorded seven clean sheets in their last 11 matches, helping them clinch the Premier League title.

Continuity in the selection of the defense is crucial for Carrick to maintain defensive stability, which has proven difficult so far. Only once has Carrick been able to field the same back four: Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw started the match against Ipswich and retained their positions for the game against Everton.

Despite this, Carrick described his fitness update as a mixed bag, citing the return of Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt from a back injury, though he was substituted during the match against Leeds due to a thigh injury.

The Manchester United defense is further stretched with Leny Yoro suspended, Luke Shaw not fit, and expected to be out for an additional period. This could result in Will Amass becoming the sixth different left-back to start for United this season. Diogo Dalot has become the fifth different player to start at left-back in six games, with some suggesting that young players like Harry Amass, who made an appearance as a substitute against Sabah, may get their chance at starting. Carrick maintains that Amass is in contention for a starting role.