Redknapp Blames Manchester United Recruitment Rather Than Carrick
Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid has intensified pressure around Old Trafford, but Harry Redknapp believes the club’s underlying problem lies far beyond Michael Carrick. The former West Ham manager has argued that United’s recruitment has left Carrick with a squad incapable of competing with Arsenal and Manchester City.
Key takeaways
- United are 14th in the Premier League after taking six points from their first six matches.
- The club have won only once in the opening six league fixtures.
- Redknapp says replacing Carrick would not lift United above fifth or sixth this season.
- Lisandro Martinez’s reaction after the Atletico Madrid loss was viewed as an honest reflection of the squad’s limitations.
- United travel to Leeds on Sunday, with Harry Maguire identified as one of the players who must provide leadership.
Recruitment blamed for United’s limitations
Redknapp said the focus on Carrick following the Atletico setback overlooks the standard of players available to the United manager. In his view, Martinez’s remarks after the match were not an attempt to deflect responsibility, but an acknowledgement that the side is performing in line with its current level.
The former Tottenham and West Ham manager maintained that continual managerial change would not solve the issue. He believes United lack the depth and quality required to close the gap on the Premier League’s leading sides, with recruitment the central concern.
“Recruitment” was the word Redknapp repeatedly returned to when assessing United’s position. He said a change in the dugout would not alter the club’s likely league ceiling, predicting that the present squad would still finish no better than fifth or sixth.
Carrick faces a demanding Leeds test
Redknapp also reflected on Carrick’s move into management, admitting he had not necessarily expected the former midfielder to take that route. He managed Carrick at West Ham and recalled a player with exceptional game intelligence, capable of reading matches and dictating play, but with a quiet and relaxed personality away from the pitch.
Redknapp said he had long rated Carrick highly and remembered coming close to signing him for £2.5 million earlier in his career. That admiration for Carrick as a footballer remains, although he suggested the manager now needs experienced personalities within the group to help United through a difficult period.
United’s immediate task is Sunday’s away match against Leeds. After the European defeat and an underwhelming league start, Carrick will be looking for a response from senior players, with Maguire among those expected to bring the strength of character Redknapp believes the side requires.
