Carrick could finally bench Amad by releasing Man Utd’s new Garnacho

Manchester United and Liverpool have been like passing ships in the modern era, rarely reaching their peak at the same time.

Going into Sunday’s meeting at Old Trafford, United sit comfortably in third place, already 19 points better than they were at the end of 2024/25 after finishing 15th in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, the visitors have dropped significantly following the recognition of last season’s title. Having finished 42 points clear of the Red Devils last week, they now find themselves three points behind Michael Carrick’s men in fourth place.

With the Champions League final almost guaranteed, there is little on the line for either side on paper. However, this ingredient should not be ignored, as expected with regular fireworks.

At United too, Monday’s meeting with Brentford was less than impressive, with Amad’s place in the starting line-up looking at risk.

Why Amad took a step back from Man Utd this season

The highlight of Amad’s time at United remains a last-gasp winner past the Merseysiders in the 2024 FA Cup, latching on to Alejandro Garnacho’s cross before sliding home to send Old Trafford into chaos.

That came amid a quiet campaign under Erik ten Hag, although the Ivory Coast international has impressed in 2024/25, alongside Bruno Fernandes, reaching double figures in both goals and assists in all competitions.

A key beneficiary of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, the 23-year-old has found a good home as a right-back, particularly forming a good partnership with Bryan Mbeumo in the early weeks of the season.

Amorim’s eventual exit coincides with Amad’s time away from Afcon, he hasn’t looked the same player since returning from international duty.

In all, he still sits on just two goals and two assists in the league in 2025/26, none of which have come this calendar year, with the former Atalanta substitute last time out following another muted performance.

At a time when he could have started a more developed role under Carrick, the somewhat persistent player appears to be backsliding, confirming that his place in the team is no longer guaranteed heading into Sunday’s derby.

How Carrick can replace Amad against Liverpool

Amad’s deployment on the left against the Bees did not go well, as the struggling player wasted the opening chance after a good run from Kobbie Mainoo.

The loanee from Sunderland who was loaned by Sunderland started in this role without Matheus Cunha, it remains to be seen if Brazil will be ready to show up again from the beginning this time.

With Patrick Dorgu also recently back on the bench, following his recent layoff, Carrick’s attacking solution could come elsewhere, with Shea Lacey perhaps a wildcard option for either side.

Unseen in action since receiving a red card against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup, the youngster has had to overcome his own injury problems in 2026, making a brilliant impact at the top level.

Having fouled Amorim at Villa Park back in January, Lacey then came off the bench in the 2-2 draw at Turf Moor, twice coming close to shooting from distance.

He is certainly not lacking in confidence, although even the Seagulls’ disappointment showed signs of health, United players are always looking to the 18-year-old to try to open up the right wing.

There is much speculation that he could be the next schoolboy to emerge from Carrington, like Mainoo and Garnacho before him, the latter of whom has taken first-team life by storm after earlier success in the FA Youth Cup.

It may have all gone sour in the end, but it’s easy to forget how exciting the Argentine looked when he broke through, scoring his first United goal in San Sebastian, while also scoring his first league goal in the final against Fulham.

There was a fearlessness and confidence in Garnacho’s performance that was very refreshing at the time, and brief cameos from Lacey so far have provided glimpses of the same.

For all the excellence of Carrick’s tenure, there is a sense that the attacking unit is still waiting to really click into gear, still relying on Fernandes to create chances and take action.

Perhaps it takes Lacey’s renaissance to shake things up a bit, there is no better time than a meeting with Liverpool for the youngster to really announce himself in the top flight.