Ainsley Maitland-Niles had only one Premier League goal in his twelve-year career. A goal in the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool in December 2018. So when the ball fell to him about 25 meters from goal in the dying moments of stoppage time, not even the most optimistic fan at Goodison Park could have imagined what was coming.

The English full-back collected the ball, unleashed a flawless cross-shot, and buried it in the top corner past Senna Lammens . A spectacular goal that froze United in their tracks, just as they were about to celebrate a 2-1 lead. The final 2-2 draw was the final nail in the coffin for Michael Carrick.

“It’s not that serious,” but United puts out fires

In the post-match press conference, Carrick tried to downplay the crisis: “It’s not that bad, you know? We were so close to getting all three points. That’s football.” But the former Reds player isn’t fooling anyone: his team is still mediocre and is paying the price for INEOS’s transfer decisions.

United have only managed four points out of a possible nine against newly promoted Hull and Ipswich, and Everton. Even worse, it's only the second time in half a century that they've conceded two or more goals in the first three league games of a season.

“They have a responsibility to concede goals, and that’s not going to change. That’s my main concern. Conceding goals will haunt them all year. I don’t know how Carrick will handle it, because he already has his best defender on the field.”—Gary Neville, on Sky Sports

The same defense as four years ago

Incredibly, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot have been the starting full-backs since 2018. Shaw, 31, played well at Goodison Park but is too tired to play three games a week. Dalot has always been an average defender who struggles with decision-making in the final third.

In the center, Harry Maguire provides experience and aerial ability, but his mobility is declining at 33, and Lisandro Martínez no longer has the pace to compensate after years of serious injuries. It's the same defense that Erik ten Hag fielded in his disastrous start to 2022.

INEOS' three-phase plan and its fatal gap

As revealed by James Ducker in The Telegraph , INEOS devised a three-phase transfer plan to repair the damage done before their arrival in 2024. Phase one focused on attack: Cunha, Mbeumo, and Sesko for around £215 million , who scored 32 goals to return United to the Champions League. Phase two addressed midfield: Baleba, Tielemans, and Andrey Santos were signed for £155 million.

Phase three, signing up to four defenders next year, is aimed at the 2028 title, when the club celebrates its 150th anniversary. But it's unforgivably naive to stick to this plan without considering the league's changing landscape: champion Arsenal conceded just 27 goals, City 35, and United 50.

Rashford: a comeback that raises alarms

United should have been more aggressive in offloading dead weight. Joshua Zirkzee should have left at the start of the summer, and Marcus Rashford should never have returned to Carrington after his loan spells at Barcelona and Aston Villa. Getting rid of his £325.000 a week would have been huge.

Bringing in a striker was urgent given the lack of goals, but the gamble on Rashford's return was a risk : the Englishman forced his departure just 20 months ago, he is inconsistent as a number 9 and a striker, and he is already a ticking time bomb if the general bad streak worsens.

A team of flashes of brilliance, without structure

With Baleba, Tielemans, and Santos, goals aren't coming from midfield, so Casemiro's set-piece threat is still missing. United can win any given match, but they can also collapse at any moment , and that cycle of one step forward and two steps back remains unchanged.

Carrick has players who can deliver results through individual talent: United broke the deadlock against Everton with a run from Mbeumo, and then Bruno Fernandes put on a show against Ipswich. But a clear playing style is still lacking.

A calendar that doesn't forgive

United will make their Champions League debut on Thursday against Sabah at the Theatre of Dreams, and only a convincing victory will do. Three days later, they face the derby against City at Old Trafford: losing would jeopardize any title aspirations.

And it doesn't stop there: before the end of October , Tottenham, Atlético de Madrid, and Chelsea arrive. When the wheels come off—and they will—all the blame should be placed on INEOS.