Carrick winless in eight games: what needs to change before Chelsea

Michael Carrick has not won in eight matches, yet he remains in charge of Manchester United. On Saturday they travel to Chelsea, and the performances raise as many questions as the results. The energy and structure seen during Carrick's interim spell have given way to an uncertain style of play this season.

The biggest problem is that the team gives its opponents too much comfort. United use a high block in 36% of their opponents' build-up phases. That rate is among the highest in the league, behind only Tottenham and Liverpool, and level with Manchester City.

However, high pressing alone is not the answer. This season United have won the ball high up the pitch 52 times, but they have only managed to turn 10 of those into shots, and they have not yet scored from those positions. The matches against Atletico Madrid and Como exposed this weakness clearly. Bruno Fernandes criticised the failure to man-mark against Como.

What is needed here is not pressing higher, but building a structure that can be applied consistently in every match. The Leeds game offered hope, as the team looked more disciplined and compact. That match ended in a draw with one goal, and this positive sign needs to turn into a win.