Jamie Carragher has raised concerns about Youri Tielemans' future at Manchester United, suggesting that the midfielder may not last long in the team unless Michael Carrick adjusts his tactical approach to provide better protection.

Since joining United from Aston Villa this summer, Tielemans has struggled to replicate the impactful form he displayed under Unai Emery. Carragher believes that this is not solely due to the Belgian's performance but rather a result of United's lack of compactness, which highlights one of Tielemans' significant weaknesses.

On Sky Sports, Carragher questioned why Tielemans thrived at Villa yet has faced difficulties at Old Trafford. He noted:

• “Why did Tielemans look good at Aston Villa and he’s really struggled so far at Manchester United?”

Carragher attributed this to the structured environment at Villa, where the team maintained compactness and controlled distances between players. He argued that for a player like Tielemans, who lacks athleticism, a tight team structure is essential:

• “When you have a player who isn’t great athletically... you need your team to be super compact.”

He compared Tielemans' situation to that of Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool, who has improved due to a more cohesive team around him. Carragher's warning was clear: unless United addresses these tactical issues, Tielemans “is not going to last” in the starting XI.

Currently, Carrick’s squad has only managed six points from their first six league games, marking their worst start since the 1986/87 season. This poor performance has uncovered structural flaws within the team. Carragher suggests that pairing Tielemans with a more dynamic ball-winner like Carlos Baleba could enhance his effectiveness. Without significant tactical adjustments, Carragher argues, it is unrealistic for United to expect Tielemans to excel while defending large spaces he is not suited to cover.