Michael Carrick remains in charge of Manchester United amid a run of poor results.
Carrick says he needs no assurances over his future and backs Bruno Fernandes ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.
Michael Carrick insists he needs no assurances over his Manchester United future despite eight matches without a win. The manager also backed captain Bruno Fernandes ahead of Saturday’s Premier League visit to Chelsea.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Carrick said he felt no surprise at remaining in charge. He stressed his determination to improve United’s performances rather than seek public support from the club’s leadership.
United’s 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth on Sunday left them one point above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, speculation over Carrick’s position has intensified, although the club’s hierarchy has shown him support.
Michael Carrick stands firm amid poor results
United have won only two of their 12 matches across all competitions this season. Their seven points from eight league games mark the club’s worst league start in 40 years.
However, Carrick maintained that he understood the demands of his role and would not walk away. He said he did not need public backing from the owners or director of football Jason Wilcox.
The downturn follows a successful spell as caretaker manager, when Carrick helped United recover after struggles under Ruben Amorim. United finished third in the Premier League and returned to the Champions League. Carrick then received a two-year contract in May.
Yet the current slump has prompted criticism from former United captain Gary Neville, who played alongside Carrick. Neville suggested on Thursday that dismissing a manager can sometimes serve that manager’s own interests.
Fernandes retains backing before Chelsea trip
Carrick also defended Fernandes after leaving the Portugal midfielder on the bench against Bournemouth. That decision followed the captain’s criticism of Carrick’s tactics during a recent 4-1 defeat by Como.
However, Carrick described the selection as a choice for that particular match. He maintained that Fernandes remained fully committed to United and would continue providing leadership.
Supporters warmly applauded Carrick as he headed down the tunnel after the Bournemouth defeat. Moments later, boos greeted the players as they left the pitch.
Despite that reaction, Carrick insisted his squad shared supporters’ frustration and remained eager to improve. He said the players felt the pain of failing to win enough matches but retained their intensity and hunger.
For United fans, the decline extends a difficult period for the 20-time English champions. Their last Premier League title came 13 years ago under Alex Ferguson.
