Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has claimed one player could have a huge impact against Manchester City.
Michael Carrick’s first game in charge of Manchester United – in his second stint – is against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Former Middlesbrough boss Carrick replaces his former teammate Darren Fletcher until the end of the season after winning the interim race ahead of Ole Gunnar Solsjkær and Ruud van Nistelrooy. He will be assisted by former England assistant Steve Holland and former Real Madrid man Jonathan Woodgate.
Rúben Amorim’s dismissal came as a shock for many, none more so than Carrick, who was on holiday with Jonny Evans and Wayne Rooney. Carrick impressed Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox in his meetings on Thursday and Sunday before officially taking the job on Tuesday.
United’s first team players returned to training on Wednesday morning after two days off following the FA Cup defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion. Danny Welbeck impressed on his return to Old Trafford – netting his ninth goal against his former side.
Carrick will now begin preparations for Manchester City this weekend, with several big calls to make. Amad and Bryan Mbeumo return from AFCON, but it’s another star who Paul Parker believes could have a huge impact in the derby.
Parker names Šeško as key man
Benjamin Šeško has impressed since Amorim’s departure. He netted two impressive goals against Burnley before scoring a consolation header against Brighton.
When asked about Šeško’s upturn in form, former United right-back Paul Parker exclusively told UtdDistrict: “I’ve liked [that] he is scoring goals. It does take time to get going, and especially with this Manchester United squad and how the whole team has performed this season, it has been difficult for him.
“You’re not coming into a settled and winning side, so it’s therefore a lot harder for him. Now he has scored a few goals recently, looks fit and with Carrick now in and assuming giving him the confidence that he will be the main man, then he will get more chances with Manchester United playing a style to suit him.
“This is so important that we get the wingers working well and getting the ball in the box. He can then cause teams problems, starting this weekend with Man City.
“It’s a massive chance to show what you’re about and give everything for the shirt and cause City problems. It’s a big game for Šeško, but one you have to be looking forward to making a good contribution.”
Who plays on the wing?
In United’s old system, Amorim could play both Amad and Mbeumo on the same side, with Šeško up front and Matheus Cunha in the left pocket. The left-wing-back would be responsible for providing width on the left side, but that will not be the case anymore.
If Carrick plays to a 4-2-3-1 shape, as he is expected to, one of Amad and Mbeumo will start on the right flank, with the other likely to be named amongst the substitutes. Bruno Fernandes will likely play as the No.10, with Šeško through the centre, but who plays on the left?
Many fans would claim Cunha should start on the left, but he will want to drift inside into the left-half-space. Fernandes would then move to the right side – as he did for Šeško’s first goal against Burnley – and the right-winger will be forced to stay wide.
Patrick Dorgu is another option for the left wing. He would allow Fernandes to occupy the left-half-space and the right-winger to invert inside and free up the right flank for Diogo Dalot, as Fletcher liked to do in his two games in charge.
The uncertainty gives United an edge over City, but it will be difficult to overcome Pep Guardiola’s side, especially after their 10-1 win against Exeter City and 2-0 win against Newcastle United.
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