Man United ‘stopped running for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’ but have responded to ‘new voice’ in Michael Carrick claims Alan Shearer as he insists ‘whatever the caretaker manager has done on the training ground has worked’
- New era Manchester United nicked a point from leaders Chelsea after 1-1 draw
- The match was caretaker manager Michael Carrick’s first league game in charge
- Alan Shearer claimed that the players stopped running for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
- But the former striker insisted Carrick’s training ground methods had worked
Alan Shearer claimed that the Manchester United players have responded to a new voice on the training ground after caretaker manager Michael Carrick oversaw a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
United bounced back from a humiliating 4-1 defeat to 16th-place Watford last week by snatching a point away to league leaders Chelsea.
The Blues dominated possession but a new-look United pressed high and created chances on the counter-attack.
Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford closed in on Jorginho which forced the Italian into an error that ultimately led to United’s opener.
Alan Shearer claims Man United players have responded well to Michael Carrick (centre)
Jadon Sancho (left) opened the scoring for Man United following a howler from Jorginho
The Italy international failed to deal with a high ball that was sent forwards by Alex Telles and his poor touch ultimately sent Sancho in on goal before the winger calmly slipped the ball past Edouard Mendy.
The Red Devils’ new style of play could be a sign of what is to come under Ralf Rangnick – the so-called godfather of gegenpressing – but Shearer believed the players were responding to Carrick’s voice in the dressing room.
‘I said a few days ago, maybe a week or two ago, that the players had stopped running for Ole,’ he told Match of the Day. ‘That was the case.
The ex-striker (L) insisted the Red Devils had stopped running under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R)
‘There’s no doubt that the manager has gone in there, whatever he’s said has worked.
‘Whatever he’s been doing on the training ground and the players have responded to that and they’ve responded to a new voice.’
Speaking after the game, Carrick told Sky Sports: ‘I’m disappointed actually. When you are in front in a game like this to have it taken away is disappointing.
‘I’m proud of the players and the group all week. An a difficult situation we tried to make the best of it. But there is that little bitter feeling. We came to win the game. A little disappointed, I can’t lie.
Carrick was pleased with United’s display and his players’ ability to execute the game plan
‘I don’t think it was a penalty at all. They have had a lot of shots, David had two saves which we knew before the game he would have to make one or two. Other than that I have felt quite comfortable in the game.
‘Of course we want to be better. I am not getting carried away but I thought we defended well. I cannot fault the boys one bit.’
But former Manchester United captain Roy Keane slammed the caretaker manager for his comments, questioning why the side only had a plan this week.
‘I disagree with everything he said in that interview,’ Keane told Sky Sports. ‘He’s talking about a plan. He’s talking of his players’ efforts, he’s proud of them.
Roy Keane laid into Michael Carrick after disagreeing with ‘everything’ he said after Man United’s draw at Chelsea
‘So is that just on Ole? What plans were they doing last few months before Liverpool at home, Man City and Watford? Have the plans only started this week?
‘He was in the dugout with Ole and all of a sudden he’s proud of them and they had a plan.
‘What about all the other games they had? Why aren’t they making the effort in other games? Why aren’t they closing players down in other games? They’re the worst in the league closing people down.
‘I wouldn’t be for getting rid of all the staff but they need to be held accountable because they weren’t just with Ole, they were with (Jose) Mourinho beforehand and will they stick on with the new manager.’
