Politics
Man Utd rookie Carrick got tactics right against Villarreal but Chelsea grand master Tuchel will be much tougher test
ROOKIE boss Michael Carrick has been working Knight and day to try to get the better of grand master Thomas Tuchel on Sunday.
The caretaker Manchester United manager took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last weekend and immediately made a couple of smart first moves.
Rookie boss Michael Carrick takes on grand master Thomas Tuchel in his first ever Premier League game in charge – Illustration by Lovatto
GettyMichael Carrick has a tough task on his hands outsmarting Thomas Tuchel[/caption]
At Villarreal on Tuesday, he put Cristiano Ronaldo out to the left of a three man attack – while dropping his Portuguese team-mate Bruno Fernandes to the bench.
Meanwhile striker Anthony Martial was brought in down the middle for only his fourth start of the season.
And the whole formation was much more compact in a bid to combat the defensive flaws which became a feature of Solskjaer’s last few games in charge.
It was check-mate as far as former Arsenal boss Unai Emery was concerned as United ran out 2-0 winners to secure top spot in their group.
Maybe the Geordie, 40, enjoyed a bit of beginner’s luck against the Yellow Submarine.
But it will not be so black and white against Tuchel’s league leaders at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
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RexCristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for United in Villarreal[/caption]
GettyJadon Sancho scored his first goal for United on Tuesday[/caption]
The German is known for his tactical nous and will represent a much stiffer challenge.
He got the better of Pep Guardiola on three occasions at the end of last season – and led them to the Champions League crown within five months of taking charge.
Maybe Carrick could call on United’s interim manager-in-waiting Ralf Rangnick for some advice.
After all Tuchel is one of the disciples of the ‘Godfather of German football’ who hopes to be in charge at Old Trafford by next week.
Carrick said: “To be involved in big games as a player and coach and now managing the team for the moment, it’s hugely challenging.
“It’s competition at the highest level. That’s what we are here for and that’s what we thrive on and this is definitely one of those occasions.”
Chelsea are currently riding high at the top of the Prem table.
Carrick will know that one wrong move and it could be curtains.
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GettyRalf Rangnick has had a big influence on Tuchel[/caption]
