Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Michael Carrick responded to a question about Manchester United's disappointing start to the season in a relaxed manner. "It's not that bad," he insisted, smiling at the assessment after only three gamed played. He's right to point out how early it is in the campaign.
But what he can't defend is how poorly his side have imposed themselves on two newly promoted teams and Everton. For just the second time in the last 50 years, Man Utd have conceded two goals in each of their first three outings. None of those opponents - Hull, Ipswich or Everton - are expected to be prolific scorers this term.
Carrick's side will face much sterner tests. They play the Manchester derby next weekend, in fact. And have issues at both ends to address before they do.
Carrick put his head down in sheer disbelief after his side were twice pegged back by worldie strikes at the Hill Dickinson, but the question that needs answering is why Everton were invited back in in the first place. United were the more creative side but often ran out of gas by the final third. Everton's xG value was greater by the close and they managed double the amount of shots on target (six).
The hosts covered more distance and completed more sprints, too. For all United's control, they lack proper punch and will need to encourage more consistency of output from their expensively-assembled forward line to make up for what they lack defensively.Laura Hunter Arsenal had given the ball away and Chelsea were breaking through Morgan Rogers down the left. But soon the Emirates went from anguish to raucous applause as Ezri Konsa came in with a hammer challenge.
"A very English tackle," Mikel Arteta said after the game. "You guys love that more than a goal sometimes." It was the battle between the Aston Villa player Arsenal were going to buy and the Villa player they ended up getting. But after Rogers gave Arsenal a fright after 77 seconds, it was Konsa's time to respond - and he came out on top overall.
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