Under-fire Manchester United boss Michael Carrick says speculation about his future will not impact their Champions League game against Roma. United are winless in nine matches, their worst run in 38 years, and sit outside the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference with just one win and seven points from their opening nine fixtures. Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea increased speculation that Tuesday night’s visit of Roma in their fourth Champions League league phase match might be his last, given the Giallorossi’s unbeaten start in Serie A and 16 goals across their past four matches, with their only defeat of the season coming in Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 win in the Stadio Olimpico on October 14 .
Speaking at his pre-match media conference, Carrick said: “(Speculation) has no influence on how we prepare or on the game. That is all I am focused on. What happens after, happens.
Whatever direction it goes in.” Carrick said he believes the players remain committed to the cause, despite the manner of their defeat at Stamford Bridge, with Lisandro Martinez’s quickfire sending-off and penalty concession ending their hopes of a comeback. We have shown it in bursts, (including) the other day. We are close but need to act on it quickly.
Things happen in football. Sometimes you make mistakes. The commitment is not an issue.
The commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other – do not question it at all. We need to play better, we can make better decisions, but the commitment is not a thing at all. We have done a lot of good things, we just couldn’t capitalise on it, but we will do.
We have to keep doing the right things. It is about finding solutions, finding answers, staying strong, leading right and getting the best out of the players and we have to keep pushing for that. The struggles, the challenges, that just drives you on to want even more,” Carrick said.
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