Michael Carrick must walk away from Sabah clash by breaking Man Utd's seven-match problem that started in July – opinion

Michael Carrick’s test against Sabah in the Champions League cannot see Manchester United’s one growing concern extend into an eight-match run now.

The 45-year-old Manchester United manager will return to the Old Trafford dugout on Thursday evening for the Red Devils’ Champions League encounter with Sabah.

United are the clear favourites to come out on top against the defending Azerbaijan Premier League champions, despite the Red Devils’ mixed results this season.

Irrespective of the quality of opposition for this Thursday’s Champions League tie, Michael Carrick’s focus must be on breaking Man Utd’s worrying seven-match streak.

Or does the team just need consistent selection, for the players to play themselves into form?

Manchester United legend Michael Carrick has overseen one win, a draw and a defeat from the Red Devils’ 2026-27 Premier League campaign so far.

While the results have varied against Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton, all three Premier League matches share one thing in common: no clean sheets for United.

The Red Devils cannot find a way to stop conceding, even if they manage to outscore the other team, as Man Utd showed against Ipswich Town last month.

United’s lack of clean sheets in the Premier League season extends into a bigger problem when the Red Devils’ pre-season summer tour is considered as well.

Carrick has now seen the Red Devils not maintain a clean sheet in their last seven matches across all competitions, including four from the pre-season preparation.

United have conceded 13 times in their last seven matches in the Premier League and pre-season, which is a systemic issue that Carrick must now address.

Did Michael Carrick make a mistake by taking him off?

The Red Devils have not maintained a clean sheet since July after their second pre-season tour match ended with United’s 5-0 drubbing of Rosenborg in Norway.

Speaking after Man Utd’s 2-2 draw with Everton, Carrick said: “The mentality is there. I think there’s obviously things we need to get better at as a team.

“That’s two strikes from distance, really, two really good strikes from their point of view, so sometimes they fly in the top corner, and more often than not, they probably don’t, so there’s a little bit of that.”

As per Manchester United’s official website, he added in his post-match press conference: “But yeah, obviously we can’t ignore it [the lack of clean sheets].

“We need to concede [fewer] goals to give us a better chance of winning games, but we’ll certainly look at that and keep improving.”

Carrick knows full well that he cannot ignore the Red Devils’ inability to keep a clean sheet in matches and the Sabah tie could be the perfect opportunity to break it.

Irrespective of a potential drubbing of Sabah, the United boss should be focused on getting one clean sheet under his belt to provide some momentum for his side.