Paul Parker fears that Leny Yoro’s lack of athleticism could see the centre-back ‘struggle’ under Manchester United’s new interim boss Michael Carrick.
The former United midfielder has taken the reins at Old Trafford until the end of the season after the club decided to sack Ruben Amorim.
Carrick, who spent three years in charge at Middlesbrough before being sacked in the summer, has previously undertaken an interim spell at United, winning two of his three games during a short spell in late 2021.
But the 44-year-old now returns to the club for an extended stint, with United set to delay any permanent appointment until the summer.
Carrick is likely to move away from Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3-formation, having relied on a possession-heavy 4-2-3-1 approach during his time at Boro.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
And while that change of formation might be a welcome relief to fans, Parker believes that not every player in the squad will be suited to such a front-footed approach.
In particular, the former United full-back believes that taking Yoro out of a back three could expose some of the weaknesses that have been present in the young Frenchman’s game since his £52million move from Lyon in 2024.
‘I think Yoro struggles in Carrick’s system, I really do,’ Parker told Metro via online gambling australia. ‘I haven’t seen anything yet on a consistent basis. I’ve seen more consistency from (Ayden) Heaven than what I have from Yoro.
‘I think the back five covered him in the wide area. He had that little bit of cover in there. But I’ve seen him in a four, and once he’s exposed, he looks like he’s treading water all the time.
‘He’s not the quickest, not the greatest of athletes. And I just look at what I saw against Brighton, and it’s a concern.
‘If we’re talking about centre-halves to ones, there are three capable centre-halves that United have got: Heaven, then there’s Martinez, and you look at De Ligt, who is a natural leader. Those are the three.’
And elsewhere along the defensive line, Parker has concerns that United’s current crop of full-backs is not up to standard for Carrick’s tactics either.
‘Luke Shaw hasn’t got the agility, and hasn’t really got the defensive prowess that he might have had when he was younger and pre-injuries as well,’ Parker added.
‘Everything he does now gives away too many fouls through the fact of not wanting to run that far, to be perfectly honest.
‘I look at (Patrick) Dorgu, and he just doesn’t do enough. You just don’t get enough of him over 90 minutes. I don’t really know what his great strength is, to be perfectly honest.
Carrick's to-do list - Four things he must fix quickly to halt slide
Manchester United were incredibly generous leading up to Christmas and over the festive period, handing out points at home to Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves before draws away to Leeds and Burnley.
But as is stands, they are firmly within touching distance of the Champions League spots, just a point off fifth place.
Even after being knocked out of the FA Cup, there is still plenty to salvage from the season - if Carrick and his staff can make some quick fixes.
Solve Sesko's struggles up front
Benjamin Sesko has had some fleeting moments of promise this season but the jury is still out. At times, the Slovenia international has looked effective foil for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, holding the ball up and linking play intelligently in the final third.
But questions over his physicality and unconvincing finishing remain. His performance against Burnley largely summed things up - scoring twice with two excellent finishes in the second-half but only after a thoroughly wretched display in the opening 45 where he could barely keep the ball under control.
Another goal against Brighton on Sunday means the 22-year-old has scored more under Darren Fletcher than he did under Amorim. A change of system and playing style has offered early promise.
Abandon the dreaded 3-4-3
It would serve as a huge shock were Carrick to persist with the system that became nothing but a cross to bear for Amorim.
Carrick very rarely deviated from a 4-2-3-1 formation at Middlesbrough, sometimes to his detriment, with a lack of a 'plan B' often cited as one of the reasons his failed to achieve promotion.
But this system appears to be perfectly suited to the Red Devils squad. Too often it has been a case of square pegs in round holes for United over the last year. Simplifying matters may be the interim boss' best course of action in the six months he has.
Reintegrate Mainoo and revive his United fortunes
As he may have been privately hoping for all season, Kobbie Mainoo has managed to outlast Ruben Amorim. With no Premier League starts to his name, it has been a miserable campaign but the change in system will surely open up a role in midfield for the 20-year-old.
United are desperately short of the controlling, calm presence Carrick once provided in the engine room. Who better to teach Mainoo the ropes.
It's a two-way street - United need inspiration in midfield and Mainoo needs to deliver if he is to stand any chance of forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel's England squad heading to the World Cup next summer. There can be no more excuses.
Unleash Fernandes in his old role
Restoring Mainoo to midfield and a shift in system could see Bruno Fernandes restored to the more advanced role where he has historically been at his prolific best in Manchester.
The Portugal international scored 44 goals and laid on 35 assists in his 97 games while Carrick served as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's assistant, averaging 0.81 goal contributions per game.
It might require some tinkering with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo also in the picture but the rewards could be enormous.
Fernandes has performed admirably in his deeper role this season but it is further up the pitch where he is most dangerous. Amid reports the captain has had enough of Old Trafford, keeping him happy is a top priority.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor,
‘And (Diogo) Dalot at right back, I think it’s just done its time, to be perfectly honest. He’s been all over the park, and there are too many unnecessary, unaided mistakes.’
Parker, though, is hopeful that Carrick’s interim spell could be a real positive for the younger players in United’s squad, who were not always entrusted with regular minutes under Amorim.
‘I’d like to think that he’ll come in there and he’ll be looking at Manchester United and say they’ve got to rebuild,’ he said.
‘He’ll be looking at rebuilding where I think he’ll get a lot of respect for, and that’s using the players who have got a little bit more longevity within themselves.
‘So I’m looking at Heaven in the heart of defence, and you also have to look at Mainoo. It’s a huge opportunity for him after what went down and how things were going for him under Amorim.’
United return to Premier League action on Saturday as Carrick hosts arch-rivals Manchester City for his game in interim charge.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
