Michael Carrick faces heavy criticism over Matheus Cunha role

Manchester United are facing fresh scrutiny over their tactical approach following a difficult opening phase to the campaign.

Head coach Michael Carrick has come under fire from club legend Nicky Butt regarding his usage of forward Matheus Cunha.

Butt questions the false nine experiment

Cunha arrived at Old Trafford last summer after United triggered the £62.5million release clause in his contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Brazilian signed a five-year deal with an option for an extra year and contributed 10 goals and four assists last term.

That return helped Carrick’s side secure a third-placed finish in the Premier League alongside Champions League qualification.

However, the 27-year-old has struggled to replicate that form during the current campaign, managing only one goal and two assists.

Benjamin Sesko has suffered from fitness issues, forcing Carrick to use Cunha in an unfamiliar false nine role.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, former midfielder Nicky Butt argued that this setup is hindering the forward.

Butt told the podcast:

Playing Cunha as a nine kills him. He’s nowhere near the player he is off the side.

Butt also highlighted a lack of reliable alternatives through the middle of the pitch for the club.

He told the podcast:

We haven’t got a No.9 other than Sesko other than Zirkzee, but he’s been going, staying, going, staying.

The former midfielder added that Joshua Zirkzee does not currently resemble a traditional centre-forward for the club.

The criticism from the former midfielder did not stop in the final third of the pitch.

Butt also raised serious doubts about the quality and balance across the rest of the squad.

He told the podcast:

The back four look an average back four. The right-back, is he going to get you into the top two, top three? No.

United recently rescued a point against Fulham at Craven Cottage thanks to a late deflected effort from Cunha in the 89th minute.

Reflecting on the team’s slow start, Cunha suggested that the squad can look back at their recovery from last year for inspiration.

Cunha told reporters:

Last season was my first season here, and then maybe it was more crazy than this one.

The forward remains confident that the team can rediscover their best form once they accelerate their development this term.