Michael Carrick has insisted Manchester United will not allow two defeats in the space of four days to knock them off course as they prepare to face Fulham.
United’s week took a sharp turn for the worse after a controversial 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday was followed by a 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.
The Brighton result was particularly painful. Manchester United had built a two-goal lead before conceding three times and crashing out of the competition. That sparked plenty of criticism around the club, but Carrick believes the reaction outside the dressing room is something his players must avoid allowing into their thinking.
Asked how he could prevent the situation from spiralling, Michael Carrick made it clear that the negativity was not coming from within the team.
“No, it wasn’t the feeling around the team, that wasn’t a feeling around the team, it was the feeling around everywhere else,” Michael Carrick said during his pre-match press conference.
For Carrick, the priority is remaining focused on what Manchester United can actually control rather than getting caught up in the noise surrounding the club.
Carrick insists United must focus on solutions
The United head coach believes the answer is simple, even if putting it into practice is not.
“It’s just the general feeling that we just spoke about, that it can create, but it can’t knock us or put us off track or [we can’t] take our eye off it or refocus or think about things that we don’t control.”
Michael Carrick wants his players to trust the work they are doing and continue doing the things that can put them in winning positions.
“It’s about trusting what we do, what we’re good at, and keep doing them things to give us chances of winning games.”
He also acknowledged how quickly football can turn after one negative result, especially in an environment where judgments are made almost immediately.
“I think, like I just said, it’s fine margins and then everything escalates from then and we live in a world of instant reaction, instant judgment.”
That is where Carrick appears determined to draw a line. He accepts that criticism is part of the job, but does not want it influencing the decisions being made inside the club.
“As I said, it’s being realistic and then understanding this was going to come and being ready for it and knowing, learning about each other, I think it’s really important and building on it for what’s to come.”
Losing to Brighton doesn’t change approach
The manager was also asked whether hearing supporters voice their frustration after the Brighton defeat had affected him personally.
Carrick admitted losing hurts, but insisted it would not change his approach.
“We don’t like losing football matches, so it’s not that I don’t feel the emotion of losing football matches, but it doesn’t affect how I think about what we need to do next. I think that’s the most important thing.”
He has also consistently taken responsibility whenever results have gone wrong, and Carrick showed no sign of changing that stance.
“That’s why I’m here. It’s my responsibility. I’m fine with that.”
Rather than searching for someone to blame, Carrick believes United have to find solutions collectively.
“For us, it’s about finding the solutions and being better and that’s as a whole football club, as a group of players, as staff, as owners, supporters, it’s a whole collective thing.”
His final message was clear enough: criticism will come, but Carrick is focused on getting United moving again.
“I’m totally happy taking responsibility. Absolutely no problem with that. It doesn’t bother me. I just know where we want to get to and we want to get there fast.”
Manchester United team news ahead of Fulham clash
Manchester United team news ahead of Fulham clash
Manchester United News & Talking Points: Carrick, JJ Gabriel, Mainoo and More
Manchester United News & Talking Points: Carrick, JJ Gabriel, Mainoo and More