MANCHESTER UNITED have enjoyed a flying start to life under Michael Carrick.
The new interim boss has led his side to successive victories against the Premier League’s top two.
United first made mincemeat of rivals City in their 2-0 Manchester derby success.
And they then rocked the boat with a dramatic 3-2 win over leaders Arsenal at the Emirates.
Now, Carrick’s men return to Old Trafford for a clash against Fulham on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes and Co have already shown they are clicking in Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
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But what exactly is about “diamond connections” that will leave Fulham baffled?
Which player will give United a boost utilising that tactic?
And does one struggling ace still have a future at the club?
Here, SunSport’s tactics expert Dean Scoggins runs the rule over United’s upcoming battle…
Breaking Fulham’s low block
Fulham don’t play with a total low block, but when settled they will likely drop into a rigid 4-4-2.
The danger for United is their central “square” — four players designed specifically to stop the No10 from getting between the lines.
To break this, United will have to shift into a 3-2-4 attacking shape. And the key isn’t actually the strikers — it’s the centre-backs.
If Harry Maguire or Luke Shaw carry the ball forward, they can force Fulham’s midfield to step out and engage.
Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro will then have to play quick “bounce passes” to narrow the centre of the park.
And once Fulham’s midfield is sucked in, the ball can be fired out to United’s wingers to run at isolated defenders.
Who replaces Dorgu and why?
Losing Patrick Dorgu to a hamstring injury right after his worldie goal against Arsenal is a massive blow.
For me, the only man to replace him is Matheus Cunha.
He is yet to start under Carrick but has impressed twice off the bench in a central role.
This time, Cunha should come in on the left, allowing him to drift inside and link up with Fernandes.
Bryan Mbeumo should continue to get the nod up top ahead of Benjamin Sesko.
It means United will retain as much of their connection from the wins over City and Arsenal.
A key part of this is Carrick’s use of “diamonds” — little groups of players creating passing patterns that move a defence around.
Cunha is a technical whiz and has the skill to be at the heart of those connections, thereby making him ideal to replace Dorgu.
Does Mason Mount have a future at United?
For me, the answer is a firm “yes.”
He might be an “impact sub for now, but Mount offers something United often lack against deep defences — verticality.
Too often, United fall into a “horseshoe” passing shape which sees them go side-to-side without any penetration into the box.
Mount’s strength is his running off and past the ball. Coming on as a second-half sub, he can force defenders back into their own six-yard box.
That opens up cutbacks for the likes of Fernandes and Mbeumo, giving United a crucial advantage amid tired legs.
Sunday’s game is going to be a pure tactical test against Fulham.
But if United continue to create the right spaces, they’ll keep their momentum rolling under Carrick.
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