Michael Carrick must solve one major problem if Middlesbrough are to make a proper promotion push this season.
Boro endured a somewhat disappointing 2023/24 campaign, missing out on the play-offs by four points.
This came on the back of a campaign where Michael Carrick secured Middlesbrough a fourth-place finish in the Championship.
But after a positive summer window that saw all their top stars maintained and new players signed, expectations were high ahead of the current season.
Middlesbrough were predicted to finish second in the Championship going into 2024/25 but right now, that seems unlikely.
The Teessiders have already dropped points against several weak teams this season and were sat 10th in the table going into the latest round of fixtures.
Middlesbrough drew with Preston North End, lost to Derby County and were held to a 2-2 draw with Portsmouth.
All of those games were winnable but a glaring problem in Boro’s backline has cost them several points this term.
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Michael Carrick has major Middlesbrough problem
Boro’s slow start could be put down to a couple of different things, including their ongoing injury woes.
The arrival of nine new players also means there has been a big change to the squad and several summer signings will take time to get up to speed.
However, it is clear that what has cost Middlesbrough the most this season is their problems at at left-back.
Lukas Engel was criticised for his awful start to the 2024/25 campaign. The defender began the season as Boro’s only left-back option due to Alex Bangura being sidelined.
But the 25-year-old cost Boro several goals in the opening few fixtures of the season, with four of Stoke City’s second-half strikes in the 5-0 defeat last month coming down Engel’s side.
Middlesbrough fans likely thought that issue had been solved when Neto Borges joined Boro from Clermont Foot last month.
However, even though the Brazilian has not played badly, the Reds continued to be exposed down their left-hand side.
Carrick has his left-back push very high up the pitch which, in turn, forces Matt Clarke to drift out wide to cover, leaving a big gap in Boro’s defence.
The likes of Stoke, Portsmouth and Preston have exploited this issue and Carrick must fix it as soon as possible.
Michael Carrick has obvious solution to Middlesbrough left-back problem
While Engel has clearly been woeful during the early stages of 2024/25, Borges’ arrival shows that it is not necessarily the personnel at left-back that is the main cause of Boro leaking goals down the left.
Instead, it has become apparent that Middlesbrough must change who they start on the left wing.
Delano Burgzorg and Finn Azaz have primarily been used on that flank this term but neither player is very defensively inclined.
But with Carrick insistent on his left-back bombing forward, he must start playing a winger who will do more defensive work.
The aforementioned duo have already shown they struggle in that regard, but the obvious solution staring Carrick in the face is to start Riley McGree.
Middlesbrough’s left flank was incredibly strong in 2022/23, with Ryan Giles providing 11 assists in the league.
And despite the now Hull City man almost acting as a second winger, Boro’s defensive record did not suffer because McGree was more than happy to drop back and cover for the full-back.
The Australian started the opening weekend win over Swansea City and helped the Teessiders keep a clean sheet.
He then picked up an injury but now the midfielder is back fit, Carrick must make McGree his primary left-winger in order to stop Middlesbrough from being exposed at left-back.