Michael Carrick refused to criticise the character or mentality of his Manchester United players following the defeat to Newcastle United.
Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle in the Premier League was the first defeat of 2026 and the end of Michael Carrick’s unbeaten start as interim head coach.
After the full-time whistle, Carrick expressed his frustration at the performance, but he refused any suggestion that his players lacked “character”.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Carrick was asked: “You’ve shown so much character in your games, why was that lacking?” Carrick responded bluntly: “It wasn’t.”
Michael Carrick speaks during a Manchester United press conference at the Carrington training complex in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
After a first defeat, how are you feeling about Michael Carrick for the Man Utd job permanently?
Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Man Utd lacked quality vs Newcastle but not effort
In recent seasons, the work rate of this United side has been called into question countless times.
Carrick’s predecessors Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim wanted United to run more and harder during games, but that was not the issue against Newcastle.
As per BBC Sport, United actually covered 112 kilometres in the match, over two kilometres more than Newcastle.
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United players put in the leg work, but it was quality in the final third and in the passing that let three points escape.
Carrick’s team talk at half-time urged players to pass quicker and play with a higher tempo, but the poor quality of passing made that difficult.
Loss to 10-men Everton under Amorim vs Loss to 10-men Newcastle under Carrick
Which defeat is worse? Did Carrick repeat any Amorim mistake from that game?
Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick as Man Utd managers
Ruben Amorim vs Everton and Michael Carrick vs Newcastle as Man Utd managers
Man United must prove Newcastle loss was a blip
United’s unbeaten bubble has burst and now all of a sudden Carrick’s management is being questioned.
Unfortunately for Carrick and his players, it is a long turnaround before United are next in action against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick’s transfer plan at Man Utd is biggest hint about his future at Old Trafford
That will be a vital clash for Champions League qualification with Unai Emery’s side just one point behind in the league table.
It is up to Carrick and his squad to prove that the Newcastle blip was just an off day, and that the intensity of play in the previous wins can return.
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