Michael Carrick delivered a clear tactical lesson as Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates. Beyond the result, the match showed how well Carrick prepared his team and how carefully he set them up to stop Arsenal’s strengths.
Arsenal’s game is built around wide play, and Carrick clearly planned for that. United were organised to control the flanks first and then overload the middle of the pitch. This approach stopped Arsenal from playing freely and disrupted their usual rhythm.
On the right side of defence, Diogo Dalot was given a strict role. He stayed tight to Leandro Trossard and did not overlap unnecessarily. His main task was to stay compact, delay attacks and prevent Arsenal from creating one-on-one situations out wide.
On the opposite flank, Luke Shaw was positioned directly against Bukayo Saka. Although Saka still had moments, Shaw’s discipline was vital. He held his position instead of pushing forward, cutting off the usual link between Saka and Martin Ødegaard. By forcing Saka inside, United pushed Arsenal into crowded central areas where they had numbers.
Patrick Dorgu played a key role in Carrick’s plan. Rather than operating as a traditional winger, he was used as an inverted wide player who drifted into central areas. This movement helped United overload Arsenal’s midfield and added an extra body in pressing situations.
Because of Dorgu’s positioning, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi were constantly under pressure. They could not step out freely or focus only on United’s midfielders, as Dorgu was always arriving into their zone. This extra overload made United’s pressing more effective and limited Arsenal’s ability to play through the middle.
Up front, Carrick made another important adjustment by using Bryan Mbeumo as a central striker instead of a fixed target man. Mbeumo’s pace, movement and willingness to drop deep unsettled Arsenal’s centre-backs, William Saliba and Gabriel. They were forced to follow him, opening spaces elsewhere.
Mbeumo was not just a striker. He dropped into midfield, linked play and regularly rotated positions with Amad and Bruno Fernandes. This fluid movement confused Arsenal’s defence and created passing lanes, allowing United to attack with freedom.
As a result, United looked fluid and unpredictable. Their players did not hold rigid positions, and Arsenal struggled to decide who to track. That uncertainty worked heavily in United’s favour.
The performance also brought back memories of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s emotional praise of Carrick after his departure, when he spoke highly of his intelligence and influence. Displays like this explain those words.
The big question now is whether United can maintain this level, both tactically and mentally. What is clear, however, is that Carrick showed he is not just a coach, but a manager with a sharp tactical mind.
