The manager used a five-minute opening address to say Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at Como “hurt a lot”, and denied that his squad is divided after criticism from captain Bruno Fernandes.
Michael Carrick has admitted that Manchester United have “lost our way”, while insisting he is the right person to turn the club around. He asked to speak for five minutes before taking a question at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth. He is under pressure after a seven-game winless run in all competitions and Fernandes’s criticism of his tactics following the defeat in Como. Carrick denied that the squad is “divided”, but said the “unacceptable” performance had left him hurt.
What Carrick said
Carrick spoke of “sacrifice”, “humility” and “hard work”, and of the club’s “values” and the responsibility of representing United. “We had five months of relative success and I was happy with what I’ve been seeing,” he said. “Wednesday was a bad night that hurt a lot. It was unacceptable. It was a tough moment. My responsibility is to get a team on the pitch that represents the supporters and makes them proud and we’ve gone away from that.”
He added: “I fully believe we will get back to it but we need to recognise we’ve gone away from that. It comes down to humility, being hard-working. There’s been a resilience about this football club for a long time and that runs very deep. Manchester United is always bigger than any individual, bigger than me, bigger than any player.”
He continued: “We need to show what it means and respect this football club, respect what it means. I’m not entitled to be here and we’re not entitled to win. It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice. It’s important we live up to that and for me to push those values. We’ve lost our way but I’m totally convinced we’ll get that back.”
The club’s position
According to Sky Sports, United’s hierarchy has developed fresh doubts about the coaching staff since the Como defeat, despite better performances against Atletico Madrid and Leeds. It reports that no decision has been made about Carrick’s position beyond the Bournemouth game. That is not confirmation that he will be sacked if United lose. The Times reports that the leadership is reportedly divided over responsibility, with some believing Carrick and his staff deserve more scrutiny and others that the players must take more. It also says Fernandes is not expected to face disciplinary action. The Independent says the players were given Thursday off, as planned before the match, and returned to Carrington on Friday.
The research notes say the Guardian reported that director of football Jason Wilcox is thought to favour Eddie Howe, who has been without a job since leaving Newcastle in July, as a possible successor. TNT Sports linked Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte, and the Guardian reports that Conte denied being in advanced talks with another club. No offer or formal approach to anyone has been confirmed. Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler, 33, who is contracted to 2029, said he was focused on Brighton, according to The Independent.
The Independent reports that United are 13th in the Premier League with seven points and 20th in the Champions League, with two wins in all competitions this season. Carrick acknowledged after the 1-1 draw with Leeds that it was United’s slowest league start since 1986, according to the club’s website. They have drawn their last three league games, against Fulham, Tottenham and Leeds.
The Times reports that Como’s players covered about 4.2km more than United, had twice as many shots on target, and that United did not test their goalkeeper until the 60th minute.
Team news
Evening Standard reporting says Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte are expected to miss the Bournemouth game. Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven remain doubts, and their availability has not been confirmed. Leny Yoro is available again after his suspension. Matthijs de Ligt started at Como after 325 days out following back surgery.
Fernandes could return to the number 10 role after being used as a false nine, according to the Standard, though that is not confirmed. Joshua Zirkzee is being considered for a rare league start after his first goal of the season at Como, while Matheus Cunha was substituted at half-time. Fernandes’s home was reportedly burgled while he was in Italy, according to the Guardian, and that should not be presented as an explanation for performances.
The opposition
Bournemouth arrive after beating AC Milan 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday, their third win in three games. Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier scored first-half penalties and Amine Adli added a free-kick in the 84th minute, after Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off in the 27th. Midfielder Alex Toth is a doubt with a suspected hamstring injury. United then face Chelsea on 31 October, Roma in the Champions League in early November and Aston Villa before the international break, according to The Independent.
