Michael Carrick’s Manchester United are at a tactical crossroads, and the Champions League clash against Como will serve as a litmus test for his evolving game plan. The Red Devils’ dismal start to the campaign has forced Carrick to confront a fundamental question: how to deploy a squad that lacks the depth and versatility to compete in Europe’s elite stage. With Amad Diallo’s role under scrutiny, insiders confirm the manager is preparing a reshuffle that could see the winger’s position redefined—or even removed—from the starting XI.
The most immediate challenge lies in United’s wing balance. Diallo has been one of the team’s brightest performers this season, but his presence on the right has created a tactical imbalance. Without a natural left-winger, Carrick’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation risks exposing the left flank when Patrick Dorgu is forced to track back defensively. The solution may lie in pushing Dorgu forward, but that would require a radical shift in defensive structure—a move that could leave the side vulnerable in transition. Alternatively, Carrick might explore a deeper role for Bruno Fernandes, dropping him into a No. 10 position behind the striker, though that would demand a significant adjustment from the Portuguese playmaker, who has spent most of the season in a more traditional midfield role.
The Como fixture could also mark a turning point for Lisandro Martínez, whose recent outburst against Atletico Madrid’s hierarchy has drawn Carrick’s attention. While the manager has not explicitly addressed the Argentine’s concerns, his tactical decisions may reflect an attempt to placate the striker’s frustrations. If Carrick opts to rotate the attack, Martínez could find himself paired with Diallo in a more fluid, two-striker system—though that would require the winger to adapt to a more direct, goal-threatening role rather than his current role as a creative outlet. The risk, however, is that such a reshuffle could destabilize the team’s midfield, where the absence of a traditional No. 10 could leave gaps in build-up play.
Off the pitch, Carrick’s leadership is being tested as much as his tactics. With exit rumors swirling around Old Trafford, the manager’s focus remains firmly on the immediate task: securing a result against Como. Yet the underlying tension between player expectations and managerial pragmatism cannot be ignored. Diallo’s Snapchat post in support of Martínez’s criticism of United’s transfer strategy has not gone unnoticed, and while Carrick has not publicly commented, his tactical choices in the coming weeks will speak volumes about his priorities. If the Red Devils are to avoid further humiliation in Europe, they will need more than just a reshuffle—they will need a coherent vision that aligns with the strengths of the players on the bench.
For now, the signs point to a bold experiment. Carrick is not a manager who clings to rigid systems, and the Como game could be the moment he finally embraces a fluid, attacking approach that leverages Diallo’s pace and Martínez’s finishing. But if the result falls short, the fallout could be more than just a tactical failure—it could signal the beginning of a wider crisis at the heart of Manchester United’s project.
