Carrick's Man Utd missing spark as Konsa shines for Arsenal — Premier League hits and misses
Quick summary
A Premier League weekend review column highlighting Manchester United's lack of attacking threat under Michael Carrick against Everton, while Ezri Konsa delivered a strong performance for Aston Villa against Arsenal.
What happened
Sky Sports' weekly hits and misses column assesses standout performers and disappointments from the latest Premier League round. The piece singles out Michael Carrick's Manchester United for lacking attacking spark in their draw with Everton, questioning the creative output. On the positive side, Ezri Konsa is praised for his defensive display against Arsenal. The column format covers multiple matches and players across the league, offering a snapshot of form, tactics, and individual contributions from the weekend.
Chance analysis
Carrick's interim tenure at Manchester United continues to raise concerns about the balance between defensive solidity and attacking incision. A flat display against Everton underlines the creative void that has plagued United's season, a problem that cannot be solved by organisation alone. Meanwhile, Konsa's emergence as a ball-playing centre-back reinforces how Villa's recruitment model continues to produce value far beyond expectations, a reminder that the league's smartest defensive structures often come from clubs outside the traditional top-six conversation.
Manchester United's attacking deficiencies under Carrick are reaffirmed, while Aston Villa's defensive reliability through Konsa is validated — both relevant for evaluating near-term form.