Jamie Carragher praised Manchester United's performance at Chelsea as 'one of the bravest' displays from the club he has seen without the ball, but aimed a dig at former boss Jose Mourinho's defensive tactics in the process.
United have now recorded goalless draws on five occasions against other teams that make up the so-called top six so far this season, and have scored just once across those seven fixtures following Bruno Fernandes' penalty against Tottenham.
That return has seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men called into question given their lack of success in fixtures against their immediate rivals in 2020-21.
But speaking to Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, former Liverpool defender Carragher insists the display in the goalless stalemate at Stamford Bridge showed courage which was not in evidence during Mourinho's tenure between 2016 and 2018 in corresponding fixtures.
'We were very critical of him [Mourinho] on this show as a Manchester United manager,' he said. 'When we talk about going for it, I think there's a difference between what you do with the ball and what you do off the ball.
'And when we criticised Jose in the past, it was almost because when they didn't have the ball, it was a back six. It was really deep.
'I think this was one of the bravest and most on the front foot I've seen Manchester United without the ball. I thought they were very brave in this game.
'I thought they were very brave on the front foot, pressing, man to man all over the pitch. But in that final third, they just didn't have that quality and that is an issue.'
Former United star Mark Hughes called for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign a centre forward in the summer due to Edinson Cavani's age and the lack of alternatives.
And Carragher concurs with the former forward, believes the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood are struggling to score in crucial games and therefore the club must prioritise a central striker above returning for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.
'I wouldn't describe Solskjaer as a defensive manager. I know those results look like that and maybe other managers we would... but this is a guy who's played for Manchester United in those type of teams.
'I don't recognise him as that kind of manager - right now I actually think it's a quality issue. So when I talk about being on the front foot, it's easier being on the front foot without the ball.
'It's easy as a manager to organise that and say where you want to press and we've been critical of teams on this show where they drop deep, two banks of four and they can't get out.
'This, for me, is when the ball actually goes up to the front players - is there enough quality?
'You've said they're the top scorers in the Premier League but have they got that player to score in the decisive games, that player that's going to take them to the league title?
'And when I look at that, people talk about Manchester United, they need a right winger, they went for Sancho, they need a centre-forward more than anything.'
Zacbdekmns
319
I said it many a times let's Ole dispose Martial and find a world class striker like Harry Kane, Get a right winger, Jancho can fit well then a cover up winger and Harvey Barnes who is more of playing every game. Then a center back who can read the game and let Tuanzebe go on loan to gain experience and have more games to play. We have players who can be sold and fund for those 4 players to be found. Sir Ferguson was intellectual on learning the player potentiality. I remember the fridged player Phil Jones was being played in many positions and was quite outstanding... right back, Center back and also defensive midfielder in tight games..
pibekptuz
293
This man just gave an honest analysis of Manchester United. We need a center forward and center back more than anything else. Solskjaer hopefully also sees that Martial won't help him to win the league title. I think we need an ambitious and ruthless center forward to lead the line. I só wish Manchester United can go big and test the water by offering Tottenham €110m +€20m in ads on for Harry Kane and see if Daniel Lavy will reject such a huge offer. I think Martial can be better when someone of that caliber is in the team, he will definitely be reliable because he will know if he doesn't perform then probably the next window he will be sold. Now we have to work with what we have. The coach must prioritize center back and center forward this summer and the deals must be completed within time frame
AKINKUNMIADEYINKA
261
Please Don't Blame Ole, It is The Players He Inherited And It Doesn't Have A Choice That He Used Players Out Of Their Positions. It Edward Woodward That is The is The Main Problem And The Main Cause Of This Mess. Only If Man Utd Has Director Of Football And Head Of Recruitment To Work With Ole To Get Him The Players He Wants That Can Play The Style Of Play He Wants The Team To Play If You Can See Ole's Actions What He is Doing Since He Came To The Club As A Coach To Implement His Own Style Of Play. Ole's Style Of Play is Called Ole's Total GungHo Press Attacking Football Which Are: 1.) High Press. 2.) Quick Transition. 3.) Free Flow Attack. So, All Together is Called "HIGHPRESS QUICK TRANSITION FREE-FLOWING ATTACKING FOOTBALL" And Those Players That Can Play The Style Are: 1.)a) Right Footed Center Back: Nikola Millenkovic, Jules Kounde, Salidou Koulibaly, Sergio Ramos, etc. b) Left Footed Centre Back: Pau Torres, David Carmo, etc. 2.) Right Back: Max Aarons, James Justin, Riccardo Pereira, Tariq Lamptey, etc. 3a.) Right Footed Defensive Midfielder: Yves Bissouma, Manuel Locatelli, Sandro Tonalli, Danillo Pereira, Boubakary Soumare, Dani Parejo, etc. b.) Left Footed Defensive Midfielder: Mikael Merrino, Saul Niguez, etc. 4a.) Right Footed Attacking Midfielder: Leandro Trossard, Dani Olmo, Nicolo Barella, Piotr Zielinski, Hakan Calhanoglu, Jamal Musiala, etc. b.) Left Footed Attacking Midfielder: Pedro Goncalves, Steven Berghuis, Martin Ordegaard, Mikael Oryazabal, etc. 5a.) Right Footed Right Winger: Jadon Sancho, etc. b.) Left Footed Right Winger: Kavin Stengs, Steven Berghuis, Mousa Diaby, Rony Lopes, Brahim Diaz, Ousmane Dembele, Mikael Oryazabal, Raphinha, etc. 6.) Right Footed And Left Footed Left Winger: Memphis Depay, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Kavin Stengs, Kingley Coman, etc. 7a.) Right Footed Centre Forward Or Striker: Andre Silva, Lautaro Martinez, Alexander Sorloth, Hwang Hee Chan, Odsonne Edouard, Alexandre Isak, David Brenner, Duvan Zapata Or Luis Muriel, Ante Rebic, Kylian Mbappe, Mauro Icardi, etc. b.) Left Footed Centre Forward Or Striker: Erling Braut Haaland, etc.
widlrt
239
A CF is must , Haaland suits the budget Kane will cost at least £150M , Varane is in his last year so RM will try to cash him same as Pogba , better try a swap deal , De Gae lost this prime , it's time to sell also he is in his last two years contract , already earning £375,000 p/w , few clubs looking for him like PSG , Inter . Grealish would add quality not coz he is British , just look at his record , key passes , fouled , chances created , can be compared to Bruno , MC Tom and Fred can be used to rotate in DM atleast £250M required for signing 3 players Sancho , Haal , Greal it's time to sell some fringe players to raise fund , Martial , Ling , Lindelof , De Gae , Bailly , few may raise eyebrow when they see Bailly , But look at the stats for the past 2 years the number of games , Abraham(Chelsea ) would be a better buy , as he is not getting chances at Chelsea