Carrick says Manchester United must improve defensively before Como match

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick acknowledged on Tuesday, 20 October, that his team must improve defensively before Wednesday’s Champions League match at Como in Italy. United have kept one clean sheet in 10 matches this season, BBC Sport reported, making their defensive record a concern as they prepare for the trip.

Asked at his pre-match news conference about United’s failure to keep opponents out, Carrick agreed it was a problem. ‘There’s definitely parts of our game we have to improve to make things easier. I am fully aware of that,’ he said, according to BBC Sport. The team’s only clean sheet this season came against Sabah FK last month.

Manchester United’s clean-sheet record

For comparison, Arsenal had kept seven clean sheets in 11 matches this season, according to BBC Sport. That contrast shows the size of the gap in the teams’ records; Carrick’s comments did not establish a single cause for United’s difficulties.

Defensive options for the Como match

Carrick described his fitness update before the Como game as a ‘mixed bag’. He said Matthijs de Ligt was fit and ready after a back injury, giving United an available defender ahead of the match. Lisandro Martinez, however, did not travel to Italy because of a thigh injury, BBC Sport reported.

United will also be without Leny Yoro, who is suspended for the Como match. Luke Shaw remains unfit and is expected to be out longer than Kobbie Mainoo, who is expected to miss 10 days, according to the BBC. The absences leave Carrick with fewer defensive options for the fixture in which he hopes to improve the team’s record.

The Como trip follows United’s draw with Leeds on 18 October, recorded in the club’s account of that match. Carrick’s comments in Italy put the focus on whether his side can prevent goals in its next Champions League game.