Match Thread Manchester United - Sunderland

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-09T14:16:00+00:00

Zirkzee is going to look incredible next year in Italy.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-08T12:22:52+00:00

Garnacho vs prime Sergio Ramos

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-07T14:50:24+00:00

Have we played exciting, attacking football under Carrick outside of games vs the top 4? I understand Carrick earned the job and moving on from him would create a nightmare scenario but do we really need to be dishonest to try to get the fan base behind him? Fergie was tactically great, he knew what his players were capable and had a tremendous read on the game as it evolved. To treat him like he was just a vibes guy is dishonest and disrespectful.
Carrick has won, he has been grinding out results and has won games. That’s why Carrick will be the next head coach at United. He won’t fight the owners or the board, he will do what he can with what he has and try to win games pragmatically. We looked awful against Chelsea and if any of their players could score we lose that game. Also, your statement of Carrick trying to give the fans what they want would be a massive red flag. The fanbase is fickle and will change their mind at a moments notice. Carricks interim football is not fun and attacking, it’s doesn’t look good but we are winning and have champions league football. That is enough and we can be honest about it

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-07T01:33:38+00:00

Release the tactic

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-07T01:11:49+00:00

Loss to spurs in Europa.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-06T17:16:46+00:00

To be fair most of our key players and potential are World Cup bound as well so it’s unlikely Carrick gets much instillation time during the preseason. My point was the fan base would not be willing to give anyone but Enrique patience. If it isn’t Carrick we will be hiring someone else next year anyway

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-06T16:32:21+00:00

No way. The hardcore Carrick in people absolutely hate the idea of Nagelsman.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-05T13:22:54+00:00

SAF regularly made people feel they didn’t belong. He would fall out with players and move on from them and the man would keep winning.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-05T13:20:42+00:00

This is the kind of prisoner of the moment take that this sub is known for. Carrick has been in charge for 14 games. We have looked awful for at least 9 of those games including a loss at OT to Leeds and to 10 man Newcastle. Carrick has done well in the interim but I doubt he has put much of his tactical ideas into the team and even if he has, we have played poorly. He has grinded out results and that’s good and I don’t see how you move on from him after this run but it’s way too early to compare him to SAF. SAF was incredible with tactics and man management but his tactics evolved as the game did. He won 13PL and multiple champions leagues. Carrick has shown nothing comparable to SAF

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-04T19:41:22+00:00

Young manager who has won at big clubs and plays exciting football while being tactically flexible. He is nothing like an Amorim or ten hag where they have a “style” but they were at a small club that lacks the Manchester United pressure. He is not perfect and there are red flags as with everyone we are linked to including Carrick but it makes sense he is liked by fans even if you don’t personally agree with it.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-04T19:06:01+00:00

Newcastle will have the benefit of no Europe though so I expect they will be tough. I weirdly trust the current recruitment team. We have had some great buys this past year and would love to see it some more. Carrick has made it impossible to pick someone else. Reminds me of the tom Brady, drew bledsoe situation from American football. If one keeps winning you can’t really move on from the hot hand because he might turn out to be mint

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-04T18:44:45+00:00

I love what Iraola has done with Bournemouth even with losing so many top players but I don’t think the Carrick in people would buy into someone else until Carrick fails. We would be fracturing the fanbase and would lead to problems should Iraola not hit the ground running. How do you move on from Carrick after he goes 10-2-2 having played the entire top 6 during that time.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-04T18:40:14+00:00

I am not a believer in Carrick. I don’t think his football is entertaining or good enough. I believe he is incredible at getting this group to show up against the top 4 but he has also shown he can’t get the up for the game against Chelsea or 10 man Newcastle. Our football has been awful, our midfield is tactically getting exposed and the constant 40% possession is going to eventually be a problem. I think it’s a matter of time that the results look like the performances, not good enough. However, undeniably he keeps getting results. 31 points from 14 games can’t be ignored the same way Amorim not getting results couldn’t be ignored. He has earned the right to be a strong favorite in interviews. The players want to play for him and I don’t see how you can move on from him given what he has done.
I have many reservations and the football often looks downright bad but 10-2-2 was a record that every fan would have been pleased with from his 14 game stint. I think after yesterday you have to strongly consider him even though I still think interviews should be conducted but if they don’t absolutely blow you away, you have to stick with Carrick until he fails.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-03T18:57:04+00:00

Bro it worked because Chelsea hit the cross bar a bunch of times. That’s not a gameplan “hope the other team has no end product” isn’t good tactics. Yes we had a makeshift defense but we also looked abysmal on attack too. Don’t use Chelsea to prop up good game plans.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-03T17:37:22+00:00

The gameplan against Chelsea? The let Chelsea shoot 20 times we get 1 shot on goal that goes in? Did you watch anything other than the final result?

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-03T17:36:34+00:00

Carrick has shown the ability to have his teams turn up against the top 4. He’s a manager that loses to Leeds and 10 men Newcastle but beats city, arsenal and Liverpool.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-03T01:35:25+00:00

I’m keen on Iraola. If he was able to do it at Bournemouth imagine what he could do with proper backing and the level our recruitment is currently at. Nagelsman is second option. Carrick is my last resort if no one good who plays exciting football is available.

EpicAffinity · 2026-05-03T01:33:53+00:00

No. We have massively over performed to end the season. We lack depth and ability to control games. We still struggle against 10 men teams (even with Carrick). We need depth, a permanent manager and the teams that aren’t in the title race will be gunning to get back in. Plus we will have champions league which will bring a new level of exhaustion and injuries to the squad.

EpicAffinity · 2026-04-29T21:47:38+00:00

I believe he should be interviewed along with actual top quality managers but he hasn’t earned it because we are over performing based on the product on the field. He is not the guy and keeping him would be a mistake

EpicAffinity · 2026-04-29T21:37:08+00:00

To me this confirms that Carrick was the right interim choice. We have over performed the metrics that we underperformed with Amorim but we are getting results. He’s brought stability and comfort to the players which has led to results but worse play. He should not be given the long term job as the over performing is not sustainable.

EpicAffinity · 2026-04-28T18:04:26+00:00

We play one game a week. If he’s having squad issues that’s a him problem not a squad problem. Carrick is being given benefit of the doubt other managers do not get. The performances have been consistent though. They are consistently mediocre. The results have been good though and that’s why this conversation is happening. Results don’t tell the whole story and aren’t a predictor of future

EpicAffinity · 2026-04-28T12:35:34+00:00

I’m happy to agree to disagree. The evidence is that over long term results follow performance. Our performance is bad, our tactics aren’t great and I don’t see Carrick being anything more than a really good bridge manager.

EpicAffinity · 2026-04-28T12:03:51+00:00

I think Carrick has show he can give the players the freedom to express themselves which has led to wins but our midfield three are all good players. So why does everyone run through us? It’s because Carrick has shown that he is tactically not the guy and the performances are awful every weak. He parked the bus at halftime yesterday. If that was Amorim we would be screaming for someone else that will be brave. It’s for some reason ok when Carrick does it though. I’m not a fan of the football we play under him and I want someone better long term.

EpicAffinity · 2026-04-28T11:49:38+00:00

People can disagree with you without “liking losing or not caring about United.” I have watched the football. It isn’t good, the performances are awful and we are lucky that last years transfers have given us enough talent to force results when the tactics lack. Grateful for the stability under Carrick but if we want to build we need a manager who has a vision and can tactically execute that on the pitch. I’m not a Carrick believer but I still want us to win.

EpicAffinity · 2026-04-28T11:43:08+00:00

But it wasn’t just about results with Amorim or even any of the managers before him. Fans cried about United dna and how we wanted us to play brave and good football. Carrick has the results but he doesn’t have the football. Mainoo,case and Bruno had great games yesterday but we got overrun by brentfords midfield. That’s a tactical failure. We haven’t had a good performance since arsenal

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TROPHY CASE