Manchester United's collapse against Brighton has intensified the scrutiny on Michael Carrick - but the problems at Old Trafford run deeper than the head coach. United led 2-0 after just 10 minutes against Brighton on Wednesday night. By full-time, they had lost 3-2, exited the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage for a second successive season and been booed off by their own supporters.
It was the first time in 50 years United had lost at Old Trafford after going 2-0 up. They had won 143 of the previous 145 matches in which they had established that advantage. They also failed to register another shot on target after Mason Mount's 2-0 goal until the 76th minute.
The defeat leaves Carrick under pressure only months after his interim spell was rewarded with the permanent job. He had won 12 of his 17 matches last season, drawing three and losing two, giving him a 70.6 per cent win rate. This season, his record is two wins, one draw and three defeats from six games - a 33.3 per cent win rate.
United have now also matched their joint-worst start to a Premier League season after four games, while their Carabao Cup exit has removed an opportunity for silverware. So what is the main issue at Old Trafford? Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player United's lack of urgency on the pitch has been stark, and the numbers match what we're seeing in matches.
United rank 14th in the Premier League for distance covered this season, with 449.1km, but their rankings drop sharply when the intensity of those movements is measured. They are 18th for sprints, with 379, 19th for high-speed runs, with 1,364, 18th for sprints per kilometre covered and 19th for high-speed runs per kilometre. That paints a picture of a team covering ground without doing enough of it at the speeds required to press, recover and defend transitions.
It was particularly obvious against Brighton. United's nine changes from the side that started the Manchester derby provided some context, with several players coming into the team after spending time on the bench. But Brighton also made six changes, including four players making their first starts for the club.
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