Michael Carrick delivers verdict on Joshua Zirkzee after Manchester United draw with Sunderland

Manchester United saw their three-match winning run come to an end after a disappointing 0-0 draw away to Sunderland AFC in a subdued Premier League contest that exposed the lack of attacking depth in Michael Carrick’s rotated side.

With Champions League qualification already secured following last weekend’s dramatic victory over Liverpool FC, Carrick made several changes for the trip to the Stadium of Light. The United manager rested a number of senior players, while injuries also forced alterations to the starting lineup.

The changes disrupted United’s rhythm from the opening stages. Sunderland looked sharper in possession and more direct in transition, causing problems for the visitors during the first half without fully taking control of the match.

United’s best performer on the afternoon was goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who produced the game’s standout moment midway through the opening period. Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki broke through on goal after a quick passing move opened up the United defence, but Lammens reacted well and stood firm in the one-on-one situation to keep the scores level.

Carrick’s side struggled to create clear openings for long periods. Possession was often slow and predictable, with United unable to stretch Sunderland’s defensive shape consistently enough to create meaningful opportunities inside the penalty area.

The absence of Benjamin Šeško was noticeable throughout the game. The striker missed the fixture with a shin issue after suffering another heavy knock during the win against Liverpool. Without the Slovenian leading the line, United lacked a natural focal point in attack.

Joshua Zirkzee was handed a rare start after spending much of the calendar year on the bench in Premier League matches. His previous league start had come against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC in December, underlining how difficult the season has been for the Dutch forward.

Zirkzee worked hard to connect play in deeper areas and occasionally linked midfield and attack effectively, but he rarely threatened Sunderland’s defence inside the box. The striker often found himself isolated against multiple defenders, with United struggling to move support close enough to him during attacking phases.

Carrick defended the 24-year-old after the match and suggested the circumstances of the game had not helped his performance.

“An away game coming here is challenging,” Carrick said. “Josh linked the play really well, and certain times we left him isolated.”

The United manager also pointed to Zirkzee’s lack of recent starts, acknowledging the difficulty of returning to the side after spending long periods out of the team.

“He played a real part for the team,” Carrick added. “It’s not always easy when you’ve not played for a while.”

United’s attack improved slightly after the introduction of Matheus Cunha, who injected more urgency and direct running into the final third during the closing stages. The Brazilian nearly snatched all three points deep into stoppage time after finding space inside the penalty area.

The chance fell kindly to Cunha from close range, but Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs reacted sharply to deny him from 11 yards out. It was the clearest opportunity United created all afternoon and summed up the lack of cutting edge that defined their performance.

Despite the dropped points, United remain comfortably ahead of Liverpool in the league table and have extended the gap over their rivals to six points. Carrick’s side had already secured Champions League football with games to spare, giving the manager more flexibility to rotate his squad during the final weeks of the campaign.

The match also reinforced the growing belief that United may still require another striker during the summer transfer window, even with Šeško enjoying an impressive spell under Carrick.

Since the manager’s return, Šeško has become a central figure in United’s attack through his movement, physical presence and finishing ability. His absence against Sunderland highlighted how heavily the side currently depends on him to provide structure in the final third.

United experimented with several alternatives across the season, including Zirkzee, Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo operating through the middle at different stages. None of the three are traditional centre-forwards, and the balance of the team often changes significantly when they replace Šeško.

The lack of a recognised striker was particularly evident during long spells of possession against Sunderland. Crosses into the box frequently lacked a target, while attacking moves often broke down before developing into genuine scoring chances.

Carrick has already overseen a major improvement in results since taking charge, but United’s recruitment priorities ahead of next season remain under discussion behind the scenes. Midfield additions are expected to be a major focus, especially with uncertainty surrounding the futures of players such as Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.

There is also recognition within the club that greater depth in attacking positions may be necessary if United are to compete consistently across domestic and European competitions next season.

Several names have already been linked with Old Trafford in recent weeks. Ollie Watkins has been mentioned as a proven Premier League option, while Serhou Guirassy continues to attract interest following his goalscoring form in Europe. Ivan Toney has also emerged in transfer discussions after his move to Saudi Arabia.

Saturday’s draw may not significantly affect United’s league position, but the performance offered another reminder of the fine margins within the squad. Carrick’s strongest side has looked increasingly settled in recent weeks, though the drop in attacking fluency without Šeško was difficult to ignore at the Stadium of Light.

The result also ended a run of momentum built through victories against several high-profile opponents, including Liverpool, while providing opportunities for fringe players attempting to earn greater involvement before the end of the season.