Michael Carrick is hard at work ahead of his Manchester United side’s game against Arsenal.
The Gunners will go into the fixture as the favourites, but United have some newfound confidence following their win against Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Red Devils were comfortably the better side and deserved their win in the derby. Their fans will want the same performance against Arsenal.
Carrick has already won a game against the North Londoners, but his approach is expected to be different this time around.
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Michael Carrick set to change his tactics for Arsenal vs Manchester United
Manchester United played as they did 15 years ago during their win against Manchester City.
The Red Devils were unstoppable in transition, and they could’ve easily scored two or three more goals against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Although City had more of the ball, it was United who were more dangerous.
Back in the 2021/22 season, when Carrick was the caretaker manager of Manchester United for a few games, he beat Arsenal 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Mikel Arteta’s men had most of the possession in that game as well, but the hosts registered 14 shots at goal, 10 of which were on target.
United also won more tackles and aerial duels than the Gunners did in that game.
Many feel Carrick will use the same approach against Arsenal again this weekend, but Miguel Delaney has revealed that isn’t going to happen.
He wrote in his Inside Football newsletter: “Over the last few days, Michael Carrick and his assistant, Steve Holland, have been trying to formulate a tactical plan for Arsenal on Sunday that is necessarily less adventurous than in their first match together at Old Trafford.”
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Mikel Arteta would prefer an adventurous Arsenal vs Manchester United clash
The current Arsenal side is very different to the one Carrick beat in 2021.
The Gunners are now one of the best teams in world football, and they have the ability to dominate every phase of play irrespective of the opposition.
Carrick knows that if he plays an expansive game at the Emirates on Sunday, Arsenal will destroy Manchester United.
For that reason, he is opting for a less adventurous approach, which is the right thing to do, but Gunners’ boss Arteta will not like it.
That’s because the only games in which Arsenal have struggled this season have come against teams that sit back, maintain their shape and defend resolutely.
That will likely be what Carrick will do on Sunday.
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