With United fans desperate for optimism, Bryan Mbeumo struck again at Elland Road. Can this spark a turnaround?
That marks his fourth goal in seven league outings.
Only Bruno Fernandes, who netted a hat‑trick against Ipswich in August, has more than one goal for Carrick’s side.
Nevertheless, United managed a respectable 1‑1 draw at Leeds, mirroring their performance against Atletico Madrid after conceding inside the opening minute.
Carrick told BBC Radio 5 Live he’d been ‘on headphones’ all week, so he missed the uproar over Lisandro Martínez’s outburst.
He admits the squad must eventually turn those draws into wins.
Six games without a victory now – the longest slump since 2018‑19, when form collapsed after Ole Gunnar Solskjær was appointed permanently.
‘That’s a negative sign,’ he warned. ‘Standards are slipping, and we can’t keep talking about United like this.’
A fresh start for Man Utd
Last season’s post‑match press conference by Rubén Amorim ended in his dismissal within 24 hours.
This time, Martínez ignited the fuse, slamming sporting director Jason Wilcox and the United hierarchy for a poor summer recruitment drive.
Wilcox watched from the Elland Road stands while Martínez started after apologising for the timing and venue of his criticism, not the wording.
With United lacking a true left‑back challenger for Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot became the fifth different starter in that role this campaign.
Shaw’s fitness for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Como remains uncertain, and the revolving door at left‑back isn’t helping Carrick.
Martínez left at halftime with a thigh problem, and given Matthijs de Ligt’s fragile return after an 11‑month back layoff, Carrick opted for full‑back Noussair Mazraoui over the Dutch centre‑back.
United finished the match in 13th place, with a further slip possible before the round concludes.
Unlike Amorim, Carrick easily found a positive spin on the current mess.
He said it felt like a fresh start, admitting the reality and urging action.
‘I’m not pretending everything’s perfect,’ he added, staying realistic.
‘Sometimes you hit a wall, but you have to carve a way through,’ he noted.
‘There have been cycles, but stability will let us keep doing the right things. We’re more than capable of winning matches.’
‘Even if the picture looks bleak, I have no doubt we can spark a solid run,’ he asserted.
Fernandes struggles – Leeds vs United ratings
Mbeumo’s display was far from perfect.
He missed a free header before scoring and then failed to stop Dominic Calvert‑Lewin’s equaliser just after the break.
Yet, with Carrick’s attackers sputtering – Fernandes is a shadow of his record‑breaking self despite the manager’s claim he’s ‘absolutely fine’ – Mbeumo’s contributions have become essential.
His value rises as striker Benjamin Šeško remains sidelined with a shin injury.
Mbeumo began on the right after Amad Diallo’s injury, then shifted to the No 9 role when Diallo returned.
At Elland Road he was moved again, this time to the left as Fernandes operated more centrally.
‘In this United side, you simply go where the team needs you,’ he said.
Carrick grew even more effusive.
For my money, Bryan gives United the most reliable edge right now.
He’ll drop into defence or surge forward, giving everything he has.
His positioning makes him a constant threat, and United are lucky to have him.
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