‘Unacceptable’: Michael Carrick accepts blame for Man United’s poor run, vows to turn things around
New Delhi: head coach Michael Carrick strongly defended his leadership on Friday, taking responsibility for the team’s poor run while insisting he remains confident in his ability to turn things around. Carrick is under huge pressure after the club’s winless run extended to seven games in all competitions following an embarrassing 4-1 Champions League defeat against Como. They are currently placed 20th in the Champions League table with three points.
Before taking questions ahead of the Premier League game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford, the Man United head coach delivered an emotional opening statement, acknowledging the frustration among supporters and the magnitude of the challenge facing him.
“Recently, we haven’t had a good time. I think that’s pretty obvious. So I totally accept what we’re going through at the moment. We had five months of relative success (last season) in a spell where I was happy with a lot of things I was seeing and that we were doing as a team,” Carrick said in the pre-match press conference.
He described the defeat against Como as one of the most painful nights of his tenure and said that it hurt him the way the team played. The loss intensified criticism of Carrick after the club
“We haven’t done well enough lately. We’ve had a spell that we’re really not happy with. Wednesday was a bad night. It was a bad night for a lot of reasons. It hurt a lot. It obviously hurt me to see us play that way. As I said after the game, it was really unacceptable,” he added.
Carrick remains confident despite growing pressure
Despite mounting speculation over his future, Carrick remained defiant, expressing confidence that Manchester United could rediscover the energy, unity and fighting spirit that defined their performances last season. He took charge in January 2026 after the sacking of Ruben Amorim and steered United to a top-three finish and Champions League qualification.
“For them (the fans) to feel like they felt for five months at the start of the year, is something we need to get back to. We will get back to it. I fully believe that. Am I the right man for the job? 100%. The dressing room is not divided. We have spoken with the club, always conversations going on. A reaction is needed from me. Our responsibility is to lead. I will hold that umbrella for me to get wet, and everyone stays dry, Carrick said.
Man United are currently placed 13th in the Premier League standings with seven points, while Bournemouth are a point behind them in 15th.