8 days ago
Manchester United is finding wins hard to come by at the moment. Indeed, Michael Carrick's team is currently on a run of six matches in all competitions without a victory. Sunday's 1-1 draw against Leeds United was the latest underwhelming performance and result by the Old Trafford outfit.
There were, however, some positives for Carrick to pick out of the display, not least the performance of Carlos Baleba. In his first Premier League start as a Manchester United player, the Cameroonian was a commanding presence in central midfield, helping his new team on both sides of the ball.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Carlos Baleba of Manchester United controls the ball whilst under pressure from Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on October 18, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Carrick reshuffled his midfield unit for the trip to Elland Road, deploying Baleba and Andrey Santos at the base. This gave United a strong foundation to build from. Ahead of the pair, Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans were positioned in an advanced role where they could influence the attacking play in front of them.
It was a midfield set up that gave Manchester United greater control of the match even if it still struggled to create good enough opportunities to find the back of the net. In Baleba, Carrick might finally have a two-way midfielder to build around with Santos also demonstrating his potential.
#united #leeds #michael #league
There were, however, some positives for Carrick to pick out of the display, not least the performance of Carlos Baleba. In his first Premier League start as a Manchester United player, the Cameroonian was a commanding presence in central midfield, helping his new team on both sides of the ball.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Carlos Baleba of Manchester United controls the ball whilst under pressure from Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on October 18, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Carrick reshuffled his midfield unit for the trip to Elland Road, deploying Baleba and Andrey Santos at the base. This gave United a strong foundation to build from. Ahead of the pair, Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans were positioned in an advanced role where they could influence the attacking play in front of them.
It was a midfield set up that gave Manchester United greater control of the match even if it still struggled to create good enough opportunities to find the back of the net. In Baleba, Carrick might finally have a two-way midfielder to build around with Santos also demonstrating his potential.
#united #leeds #michael #league
1 month ago
NORMAN — Oklahoma received some positive injury news Monday.
During an appearance on his coach's show, Brent Venables said linebacker Kip Lewis, who exited Saturday's loss to Michigan with an apparent knee injury, might be back sooner rather than later.
"I think we got maybe some good news and he'll be back sooner than maybe we initially thought," Venables said.
Lewis, one of the Sooners' captains and their leading tackler a season ago, was missed in the second half against the Wolverines.
It's expected Cole Sullivan, who has mostly been playing Venables' hybrid cheetah position, is expected to start in Lewis' place if he's not able to play against New Mexico. Third-year linebacker James Nesta replaced Lewis and held his own.
#injury #maybe #expected #oklahoma
During an appearance on his coach's show, Brent Venables said linebacker Kip Lewis, who exited Saturday's loss to Michigan with an apparent knee injury, might be back sooner rather than later.
"I think we got maybe some good news and he'll be back sooner than maybe we initially thought," Venables said.
Lewis, one of the Sooners' captains and their leading tackler a season ago, was missed in the second half against the Wolverines.
It's expected Cole Sullivan, who has mostly been playing Venables' hybrid cheetah position, is expected to start in Lewis' place if he's not able to play against New Mexico. Third-year linebacker James Nesta replaced Lewis and held his own.
#injury #maybe #expected #oklahoma
