Nicky Butt has criticised Manchester United’s lack of attacking options after Michael Carrick was forced to use Matheus Cunha through the middle.
With Benjamin Sesko unavailable, Cunha has been given a role as a central striker, but Butt believes the switch is hurting the Brazilian and exposing a major weakness in United’s squad.
“Playing Cunha as a nine kills him,” Butt said. “He’s nowhere near the player he is off the side.”
Butt pointed to Joshua Zirkzee as another option, although the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford has remained uncertain. He questioned whether Zirkzee can provide the level United need when called upon.
United don’t have a No. 9
“We haven’t got a no. 9 other than Sesko other than Zirkzee, but he’s been going, staying, going, staying,” Butt said. “And when he does come on, he doesn’t look anywhere near a Manchester United no. 9,” Butt said while talking on The Good, The Bad and The Football Youtube Show.
The former Manchester United midfielder also raised concerns about other areas of Carrick’s side. While he believes the midfield contains good footballers, Butt argued that United lack the control needed to dominate matches.
He was equally critical of the defence, describing the back four as average and questioning whether the right-back position is strong enough to help United challenge near the top of the Premier League.
Butt also highlighted concerns over Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, pointing to Maguire’s age, Martinez’s lack of dominance and Shaw’s recurring injury problems.
