SUGAR

Much of the noise during Michael Carrick’s tenure as Manchester United manager has been around running numbers, and on the surface they are poor: 19th for total distance, 17th for high-speed running distance and 19th for average max speed. But there’s no direct link between running more and winning. Style of play and game state shape those numbers as much as effort. What is harder to ignore is the drop since Carrick’s spell last season. Per 90, distance covered is level, but sprints are down 6.5% and accelerations 11.5%. The bigger issue may be athleticism. Weighted by minutes, United rank 20th of 20 for our Athleticism Score. The score is relative to position, comparing each player with others in the same role on a 0 to 100 scale, so this isn’t just defenders being slower than wingers. There is a sharp drop-off in the squad, with plenty of technical quality but limited athletes through the spine, and that likely dictated how United played. After criticism from fans and players, United did press higher, rising from 15th last season to 4th this season for pressures in the final third, but it didn’t translate into results. On the ball, the underlying numbers are decent. United rank 1st for line-breaking passes, 3rd for passes and crosses into a dangerous position and 4th for shots from a clear chance. The problem has come at the end of moves. United have taken the most shots, but 48.9% came when a better option was available, the highest rate in the league. Their shots on target % has fallen from 1st last season to 19th. Many things can be true at once. Physical output doesn’t decide games on its own, but it has dropped, and the squad lacks athletes in key areas. The next manager inherits a side that creates plenty, but needs better decisions in the final third and more athleticism through the spine. #MUFC