Jamie Carragher warns Man Utd star ‘won’t last’ in Michael Carrick’s team | Football

Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Manchester United Training - Trafford Training Centre, Carrington, Britain - October 12, 2026 Manchester United manager Michael Carrick during training Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Carrick has a big decision to make in midfield (Picture: Reuters)

Jamie Carragher has warned Youri Tielemans is ‘not going to last’ in the Manchester United first-team unless their set-up changes quickly.

United have taken just six points from their opening six Premier League games, lucky to escape with a draw at home to Tottenham on Saturday.

Michael Carrick’s side were overrun and overpowered from the opening whistle in a woeful first-half with Kobbie Mainoo and Tielemans in midfield particularly exposed.

The duo has emerged as the manager’s first choice pairing but former United captain Gary Neville has already ‘seen enough’, fearing the partnership is not dynamic enough to deal with the demands of Premier League football.

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Tielemans arrived from Aston Villa for £35million during the summer transfer window alongside Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba from Chelsea and Brighton respectively.

But Carragher believes United’s lack of intensity and failure so stay compact will see the Belgium international continue to struggle.

Carragher told Sky Sports: ‘Why did Tielemans look good at Aston Villa and he’s really struggled so far at Manchester United?

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Youri Tielemans of Manchester United walks off at the end of the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Tielemans struggled against Spurs (Picture: Manchester United via Getty Images)

‘When you look at an Unai Emery team, they are coached to within an inch of their lives every day and every time you watch Aston Villa game, that team is compact and together.

‘And when you have a player who isn’t great athletically which he isn’t, you need your team to be super compact. That is exactly the opposite.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. . All images are copyright Every Second Media Limited. No images may be reproduced without prior permission. All rights reserved. Premier League and Football League images are subject to licensing agreements with Football DataCo Limited. see https://www.footbal... Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steve Flynn/Every Second Media/Shutterstock (17208140bk) Youri Tielemans of Manchester United during the Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England on 10 October 2026. Credit: Steve Flynn/Every Second Media Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England - 10 Oct 2026
Tielemans was replaced on the hour mark (Picture: Second Media/Shutterstock)

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‘This is a problem Liverpool had last season with Alexis Mac Allister. Mac Allister has looked better this season because the team is tighter and more compact and that is what Manchester United need to do or he is not going to last, he’s not going to be in the team.’

United return to action in the Champions League tonight away to Atletico Madrid.

They will be without Mainoo in midfield with the England international not making the trip to the Spanish capital.

Jamie Carragher warns Man Utd star ‘won’t last’ in Michael Carrick’s team | Football

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