Reds need to bring back fear factor

MICHAEL Carrick insists Manchester United must start winning games if they are to again strike fear into their opponents.

Louis van Gaal’s side was beaten 2–1 at Bournemouth after crashing out of the Champions League following defeat in Wolfsburg earlier in the week.

United have now gone five Barclays Premier League games without a victory, their worst run in a single season since 1998/99 – when Sir Alex Ferguson ended up leading them to the treble of league title, FA Cup and Champions League crown.

Van Gaal had nine first team regulars unavailable at Bournemouth and, with injuries ravaging the squad the defiant Dutchman was forced to name an inexperienced back line.

Both full–backs, Cameron Borthwick–Jackson and Guillermo Varela, were making their full Premier League debuts, with 20–year–old Paddy McNair and makeshift defender Daley Blind completing their back line. They couldn’t stop Bournemouth scoring twice to seal a memorable win.

Carrick, who captained United at the Vitality Stadium in the continued absence of Wayne Rooney, knows they need to get back on the winning trail if they are to rebuild their reputation.

“That comes with winning games,” he said when asked if United’s fear factor had gone.

“We need to get back to winning games.