Carrick’s Tactical Dilemma: Why the “Foden Regen” Could Fix Man Utd’s Mbeumo Left-Wing Failure

Michael Carrick’s “honeymoon phase” at Old Trafford faced its first real scrutiny after a lackluster 1-1 draw against West Ham. While Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time heroics saved a point, the match exposed a glaring tactical flaw: the misuse of Bryan Mbeumo. As the Everton clash looms, the answer to United’s left-wing void might not be another big-money signing, but 18-year-old sensation Shea Lacey.

The Mbeumo Experiment: A Fish Out of Water

Since Carrick shifted to a 4-2-3-1, Bryan Mbeumo—United’s top scorer with nine goals has looked lost. Forced onto the left wing to accommodate Amad on the right, the Cameroonian’s impact was neutralized until a late-game switch back to his natural side.

Mbeumo’s Struggle by the Numbers:

| Statistic | vs West Ham (Left Wing) | vs Spurs (Right Wing) |

| :— | :— | :— | | Dribbles Completed | 0 | 3 |

| Balls Lost | 12 | 19 | | Key Passes | 2 | 0 |

| Big Chances Created | 0 | 0 |

Data shows Mbeumo only “sparked into life” against the Hammers after Zirkzee’s introduction allowed him to return to the right flank.

Unleashing the “Phil Foden Regen”

With Rashford, Garnacho, and Sancho no longer at the club, Carrick is desperately short of natural wingers. Enter Shea Lacey. Described by journalists as a “Phil Foden regen” and compared to the legendary Ryan Giggs for his balance and flair, Lacey has outgrown youth football with 8 goals in 8 U21 games this season.

While typically an inverted right-winger, Lacey’s versatility allows him to operate on the left. Unlike Matheus Cunha, who naturally drifts inside, Lacey possesses the “flying winger” DNA needed to stretch Premier League defences.

Time for a Bold Call at Goodison Park?

The “Mbeumo on the left” experiment has proven that United lose their most lethal weapon when he’s out of position. By handing Shea Lacey his full debut against Everton, Carrick could:

1. Restore Mbeumo to the right, where he is most dangerous.
2. Integrate Sesko as the permanent focal point (6 goals in 5 games).
3. Provide the X-Factor that the United attack lacked for 69 minutes against West Ham.

Lacey hasn’t featured since his red card against Brighton, but after the drab display in London, the “Foden regen” might be exactly the spark Old Trafford is crying out for.