Michael Carrick has spoken openly about his ambitions for Manchester United this season, insisting that winning remains the primary goal while acknowledging the club's obligation to entertain. "We want to be excited — that's why we love this club," he said, signalling an intent to revive a more expressive brand of football at Old Trafford.

Building from the back with freedom

One of the clearest tactical shifts Carrick has implemented in pre-season is a return to short passing from the back. Under former manager Ruben Amorim, goalkeeper Senne Lammens was encouraged to play long to avoid the risks of building under pressure. Carrick has reversed that instruction, asking his players to embrace the challenge of passing out from tight situations.

From goal-kicks, United have lined up in a 4-2-4 shape, with Lammens positioned between the two central defenders and four attackers spread fluidly across the front line. Rather than following rehearsed routines, the players are encouraged to form triangles of three and circulate the ball in a more spontaneous, player-driven manner — with third-man runs a central pillar of this approach.

Midfielders Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Mason Mount have combined effectively in these phases, helping United progress up the pitch with purpose. Kobbie Mainoo, who returned from injury with a cameo in the 4-2 defeat against AC Milan, also fits naturally within this system.

The trade-off, however, was visible against Milan. The presence of Bruno Fernandes alongside Tielemans and Santos produced a midfield trio that struggled to sustain control. The natural instincts of those players led United to play forward too quickly, resulting in turnovers and a loss of rhythm. Carrick wants his side to be vertical and direct — but without surrendering possession carelessly.

A press built to create chances

Out of possession, United have pressed from a 4-2-4 structure, holding shape before triggering coordinated presses at the right moments. The front four remain high and narrow, blocking central passing lanes and positioning United to counter rapidly when they win the ball back.

This approach yielded results in a 1-1 draw against Paris St-Germain, when United recovered possession and immediately found themselves four against four in PSG's final third — Bryan Mbeumo converting the opportunity to equalise.

AC Milan's 5-2-3 formation, however, offered a blueprint for undoing that defensive structure. Milan's wing-backs dropped deep, allowing the central defenders to play around United's narrow press. By the time United's full-backs closed down, the ball had already been shifted on. Carrick will need to find solutions quickly, given how rapidly teams adapt in the Premier League.

The challenge beyond the counter-attack

Both Carrick's tactical choices and United's summer signings suggest that the defining challenge of this season will be evolving beyond the counter-attacking approach that sustained them through the second half of last campaign. Erik ten Hag and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer each started their tenures encouragingly before running into precisely that problem — the gap between being a fast, direct side and one capable of controlling matches for long stretches.

Carrick will be hoping his more organic, player-empowering framework can help Manchester United bridge that gap more successfully when the Premier League season gets underway at Hull City this Saturday.