Hits & Misses: Mbeumo is Man Utd's only reliable goalscorer as Eze struggles
Özet haber: Carrick welcomes 'fresh start' - but should be glad of old MbeumoMichael Carrick called Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Leeds a "fresh start" on Sunday. No doubt that encapsulated the sense of relief the manager felt after watching his side battle and duel better than they had all season, showing the commitment that had been missing from most performances so far.
Carrick welcomes 'fresh start' - but should be glad of old MbeumoMichael Carrick called Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Leeds a "fresh start" on Sunday. No doubt that encapsulated the sense of relief the manager felt after watching his side battle and duel better than they had all season, showing the commitment that had been missing from most performances so far.
He will be pleased Bryan Mbeumo's form is a continuation of what went before, though - about the only player who has shown a shade of consistency during this difficult start. Three of Mbeumo's four Premier League goals have put United 1-0 ahead this term. His strike against Leeds marked an important momentum shift in a game that could have otherwise got away from them.
Fortunately for Carrick, Mbeumo has been a reliant source since his switch from Brentford, his 15 goals more than any other United player since his debut - including Bruno Fernandes. Just two victories from 10 games in all competitions means Carrick is not off the hook. But while Mbeumo keeps scoring, he's got something positive to hook performances on. Especially while Fernandes continues to look off-colour.
Laura HunterEze must prove his worth as Arsenal's main man after Madueke shinesEberechi Eze has spent a year at Arsenal since leaving Crystal Palace, but questions remain over whether he is ready to become one of the club's leading figures as their ambitions continue to grow. His talent is undeniable.
The real concern is whether he can influence games consistently, and the trip to Nottingham Forest presented another opportunity to silence his doubters. Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal - report and highlightsAs it happened | Teams | StatsWith Arsenal struggling to break down Forest, Eze had the chance to make a difference.
Instead, he was substituted at half-time, watching from the sidelines as Noni Madueke replaced him and went on to score the 80th-minute winner. Roy Keane's assessment on Sky Sports was telling, suggesting his concerns extended beyond a single performance." We're still waiting for him, the talent is there," Keane said.
"We just want him to be at Arsenal and be able to take responsibility and try to be the main man at a big club." That is the challenge facing Eze. At Crystal Palace, he was the focal point, the player expected to create chances and turn games in his team's favour. At Arsenal, however, talent alone will not earn him that status.
He must deliver consistently, particularly in tight contests when his team need inspiration. Ian Wright offered some important context, describing Eze as a "moments player" who benefits from having players around him and can become isolated on the left. There is merit to that argument.
Eze offers a different threat to Madueke, whose pace, directness and willingness to take on defenders gave Arsenal a fresh dimension in the second half. Yet that only underlines the challenge facing the former Palace man. While Madueke seized his opportunity and made an immediate impact, Eze failed to leave his mark on the contest. Competition for places is healthy at a club with Arsenal's ambitions.
