{
  "id": 7717973,
  "title": "Why are Man Utd better without the ball?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/why-are-man-utd-better-without-the-ball-7717973",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T05:46:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-man-utd-better-without-054634434.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manchester United's success under Michael Carrick appears to be closely linked to the amount of possession they have during a game. When they control more than 50%, they average 1.5 points per game, but this jumps to 2.6 when their possession drops below 50%. This correlation has been noted by various sources, including former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and current City manager Enzo Maresca, who observed that United's lack of possession can make the game more difficult for them. Carrick's approach, which emphasizes directness, excitement, and proactive play, seems to work best when United have more space to attack. This is evident in their preferred 4-2-4 formation, where full-backs push up and wingers often struggle to create one-on-one opportunities. The team's strengths, such as Senegalese goalkeeper Senne Lammens and defenders Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, are better suited to a more proactive style of play. However, with wide play being an area of concern, United often funnel their attacks back infield, making it challenging to capitalize on opportunities in the middle of the pitch. Carrick has provided players with a level of freedom to make their own decisions, helping Bruno Fernandes record 21 Premier League assists last season. However, this freedom may also contribute to United losing the ball more often when faced with disorganized defenses. The tactical questions that remain unanswered for Carrick include how to create repeatable methods of chance creation in the final third that suit his players' strengths and how to effectively utilize the team's more direct passers in situations where they are asked to disorganize stubborn defenses.",
  "summary": "Under Michael Carrick, Manchester United average 1.5 points per game when they have more than 50% of the ball. When they have less than 50%, this number is 2.6.",
  "key_points": [
    "Manchester United's success correlates with possession over 50%",
    "Carrick's approach favors direct, proactive play",
    "United struggles with disorganized defenses"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Manchester United's success under Michael Carrick appears to thrive in counter-attacking situations, suggesting a paradoxical benefit from ceding possession, which challenges conventional notions of dominating games through ball control.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Why are Man Utd better without the ball?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/why-are-man-utd-better-without-the-ball",
        "published": "2026-09-16T05:46:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}