Champions League
Carrick faces striker dilemma as Utd Champions League return looms
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces a crucial decision on his striking options ahead of United’s Champions League return, with the club’s attack under scrutiny after Brazil’s World Cup exit and Joao Pedro’s reinstatement by Carlo Ancelotti. The ‘Utd Champions League’ challenge forces Carrick to consider two changes in as many days.
Ancelotti’s Brazil reshuffle
Carlo Ancelotti has rectified a grave World Cup selection error in his new Brazil squad. Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has been reinstated by Ancelotti after his baffling summer exclusion, following an excellent debut season at Stamford Bridge.
Brazil’s exit at the last‑16 stage and Pedro’s outstanding start to the new Premier League campaign have made his inclusion unavoidable. He is now set to feature in the two friendlies against Australia at the end of this month.
Neymar is out after his controversial inclusion, and Matheus Cunha, who impressed at the World Cup, also misses out. Cunha has struggled for form in his second season with Utd, yet Carrick has continued to deploy him as Utd’s centre‑forward, mirroring his role for Brazil during the summer, even though he is not a member of the Selecao.
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Striker debate at United
Paul Scholes argues that the centre‑forward position is not Cunha’s best spot after Benjamin Sesko, a more natural No 9, replaced him to score off the bench against Everton on Sunday. Scholes believes Sesko should start, citing his effectiveness compared with the current setup.
Scholes told The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast that United’s play against Everton was ‘really timid’ and lacked aggression. He added that without a true No 9, watching United is a struggle, and Cunha’s role remains unclear between No 10 and wide positions.
Slovenian website Ekira echoed fan frustration, branding Cunha’s performance a ‘total zero’ with zero shots on target, zero assists and zero dribbles, losing the ball eleven times and losing every aerial duel. The outlet warned that Carrick’s insistence on keeping Cunha while favouring Sesko on the bench is driving supporters mad.
With Bryan Mbeumo a near‑permanent fixture on the right wing and Marcus Rashford eager to prove himself on the left, a Sesko return would likely see Cunha relegated to the bench for Utd’s Champions League clash with Sabah on Thursday night. The decision will mark a pivotal moment for the 27‑year‑old striker at both club and country.