Michael Carrick wants more clean sheets at Man Utd vs Como

Michael Carrick, Manchester United’s manager, said he needs more clean sheets to turn things around, ahead of the Champions League clash with Como on Wednesday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he was challenged about the lack of shutouts and whether he has identified the problem. United have kept the opposition out just once in 10 games this season, that coming last month against Sabah FK.

Carrick contrasted it with last term: in his 17 matches in charge, his teams recorded six clean sheets, including two in the final three. This season’s defensive stability has been harder to achieve, and he also gave an update on fitness, calling Matthijs de Ligt “fit and ready” after 11 months out with a back injury that required surgery in May.

However, de Ligt was on the bench at Leeds on Sunday, when Lisandro Martinez had to go off with a thigh issue that kept him from travelling to Italy, with Noussair Mazraoui used in the central role. Carrick also confirmed Leny Yoro is ruled out through suspension, while Luke Shaw is still not fit and could be out longer than the 10 days Kobbie Mainoo will miss. On the left-back debate, Carrick argued that young players need opportunities at the right time, and pointed to Harry Amass as one of those cases.