Manchester United manager Michael Carrick mounted an impassioned defence of his leadership on Friday, accepting responsibility for the club’s collapse in form and saying he remains convinced he can lead the team out of their current crisis. Carrick’s position is under increasing pressure after United extended their winless run to seven matches in all competitions with Wednesday’s humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como leaving them 20th in the table with three points. Before taking questions ahead of Sunday’s Premier League home game against Bournemouth, Carrick delivered an emotional opening statement, acknowledging supporters’ frustrations and the scale of the challenge facing him.
I think that’s pretty obvious. So I totally accept what we’re going through at the moment,” he said. We’ve had a spell that we’re really not happy with.” Carrick described the loss in Italy as one of the most painful nights of his tenure.
It was a bad night for a lot of reasons. As I said after the game, it was really unacceptable.” The defeat intensified scrutiny of Carrick after captain Bruno Fernandes appeared to question United’s tactical approach in his post-match comments. Asked whether public criticism from players suggested cracks within the dressing room, Carrick rejected any suggestion the squad was split.
He also sidestepped questions over Fernandes’ future as captain and declined to reveal whether he had held talks with the Portugal midfielder following the defeat. Instead, he stressed that his priority was restoring an identity that has disappeared from the side in recent weeks. They have to make the effort and the time and money they spend, to feel how we all felt on Wednesday was a tough moment,” he said.
Despite growing speculation about his future, Carrick struck a defiant tone, saying he remained confident United could rediscover the energy and connection that characterised last season’s performances. He took over in January 2026 after the sacking of Ruben Amorim and oversaw a remarkable turnaround, steering United to a top-three finish and Champions League qualification. I fully believe that,” said Carrick.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is among the names linked with United’s managerial job, although the 57-year-old Italian said on Friday he had not had any negotiations “at an advanced stage” with any club. Carrick acknowledged that United had lost their way but said responsibility rested squarely with him. He ended his opening remarks by saying it was his duty to get the club back on course, describing his role as “holding the umbrella for me to get wet and everyone else to stay dry”.
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