Yap Stam believes Manchester United should continue to trust Michael Carrick despite a dismal start to the season. The former defender insists Carrick has shown he can transform the team, but now he needs time for a full rebuild.
After a draw with Tottenham, United have experienced their worst start in the Premier League for 40 years.
Stam acknowledged that everyone is unhappy with the results — from fans to Carrick himself.
He stated:
Everyone is disappointed with how the season has begun. Of course, Michael is too, as everyone was hoping for a completely different start.
The Dutchman pointed out that under Carrick last season, United made significant improvements.
He reverted to a 4-3-3 formation, which made the players instantly more comfortable.
The team started to get results, gained confidence, and ultimately qualified for the Champions League.
Now, according to Stam, the task has become more complex: Carrick must not only provide a short-term boost but also build a team capable of performing consistently at a high level.
One of the main issues identified is in the midfield.
Stam particularly praised Carlos Baleba's introduction against Tottenham, which visibly lifted the team's performance after he came off the bench.
His potential and quality were immediately apparent.
Carrick is still searching for the ideal combination of midfielders who can support Bruno, dominate possession, and not leave gaps in defence. The difference with Baleba was noticeable.
Stam also critiqued the team's performance after Tottenham went down to ten men.
Despite having the numerical advantage and leading 1-0, United dropped too deep and ended up conceding a late goal.
In situations where the opponent is down to ten, that’s a game you need to win.
But at times, United seemed to become fearful. The team retreated too far back and allowed the opposition too much time on the ball.
Stam believes the players need to adapt more quickly after losing possession.
Sometimes players simply watch the ball and wait to see what happens.
In the Premier League, you cannot afford to give the opponent any space, as every team has players who can exploit that.
Despite the problems, the Dutchman is confident that sacking Carrick now would be a mistake.
I still believe Michael is the right person for the job.
He knows the players, understands the club's culture, and has already shown last season that he can achieve results.
According to Stam, one good win can quickly change the mood around the team.
In football, everything can sometimes change in just one match.
He deserves this job, and I’m confident that as the season progresses, the team will become stronger and results will improve.
