Michael Carrick dismisses the question of Manchester United’s future as ridiculous
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has dismissed questions over his future as “ridiculous” and insisted he is focused on turning the club’s fortunes around rather than worrying about his position.
Carrick’s side travel to Fulham on Sunday looking to respond after a difficult week, which saw them lose to Manchester City before suffering a shock Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
United took a 2-0 lead against Brighton at Old Trafford on Wednesday but relinquished their advantage before losing the tie. The fans responded by booing and chanting against the team.
But Carrick said he would not let recent results affect his thinking about his future at the club.
“I know the club, I know the role, I know what’s expected here in terms of playing at a certain level and achieving certain things on the pitch,” Carrick said.
“I understand all of that. As far as the future and the ownership and how long I’m in the job, I don’t think about that at all. It’s ridiculous to think that way in the position I’m in. It’s just not on the radar.”
“It’s two or three games. It’s two or three games too many because I really hate to lose, but that doesn’t mean the world is going down. In some minds, yes, it can’t for us.”
Carrick accepted responsibility for United’s poor start but he doesn’t want the focus to shift towards finding someone to blame.
“It’s not a blame game. Blame me, no problem. I’ll take responsibility,” he said.
“But it’s not about blaming people. It’s about us, it’s about finding solutions and being better. It’s like a whole football club.”
United have won just two of their opening six games in all competitions, with victories coming against newly promoted Ipswich Town and Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK in the Champions League.
Club chiefs have not hinted that Carrick’s position is under immediate threat, instead focusing on why so many players have failed to replicate the form that helped United win 12 of their last 17 games last season.
Carrick acknowledged that the pressure around United is often heightened because of the club’s size and expectations.
“It’s not a disaster or a disaster. It’s not the end of the world,” he said.
“There are great feelings and of course there are disappointments and sometimes the smaller disappointments lead to us being a bit bigger. It’s just part of coping and being at this great football club.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, honestly.
“It’s the best place for me, partly because of the times when it might not go to plan. Sometimes the best times are to work through, figure out a few things and come out a lot stronger.”
Carrick also faced questions about recruitment, United’s finances, relative lack of managerial experience and the coaching staff around him.
The former United midfielder said these issues will not distract the team from trying to improve.
“We have to perform and we have a lot of games scheduled,” he said.
Carrick also provided a squad update ahead of the trip to Fulham, revealing that Luke Shaw and new signing Carlos Baleba have a chance of being fit for the game. Their availability will be decided late.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
18 Sep 2026 21:29 IST