Michael Carrick in a press conference
Michael Carrick delivered an opening five-minute monologue to the press amid mounting questions over his future at Manchester United.
Carrick is facing a desperate fight to save his job after a shocking start to the 2026/27 season.
2United boss Carrick hasn't led his side to victory in all competitions since September 10Credit: Getty
He was put in front of the media on Friday - with reporters expecting to grill him on the sorry state of affairs at Old Trafford.
However, Carrick had other ideas, and delivered a lengthy speech before fielding any questions from the floor.
The former Red Devils midfielder outlined his passion for the club in a staunch defence of his position.
"I'll start today," Carrick began. "I just want to say a few things. I think recently, we haven't had a good time, I think that's pretty obvious, I totally accept what we're going through at the moment.
"We had five months of relative success in a spell where I was happy with a lot of things I was seeing that we were doing as a team. We haven't done well enough lately, I think that's pretty obvious to say.
"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, and it hurt a lot. It hurt me to see us play that way, see how the game panned out.
"As I said after the game, it was really unacceptable for us to play like that and to be like that.
"The supporters are a huge part of this football club, for me to see the supporters have to make the effort and time, and spend the money to come support us, and have the feeling after the game like we felt was a tough moment."
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He added: "My responsibility is to get a team on the pitch that represents this football club, represents the supporters and they can be proud of it with the identity that we show.
"We have gone away from that just recently in certain games, which I'm fully aware of and definitely doing something about.
"I think it's important we all recognise that. I certainly recognise it. Our supporters are of the utmost importance to me and this football club.
"For them to feel like they felt for five months at the start of the year and have that about us, that connection and that real vigour, intensity and enjoyment and passion is something we need to get back to.
"We will get back to it. I fully believe that."
Skip to 14:50 in the video above to watch Carrick's message in full.
What next for Carrick?
Pressure on the Man United boss intensified after a shocking 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
It continues a hapless run which has seen United claim just one Premier League victory since the season began.
2Carrick remained tight-lipped on his relationship with FernandesCredit: Getty
Captain Bruno Fernandes publicly rounded on Carrick by dismantling the team's tactics in a damning post-match interview.
When asked whether he will remove the captain's armband from Fernandes, Carrick refused to give a definitive answer, simply responding: "I will do what's best for the club."
The Englishman will be in the dugout for the visit of Bournemouth on Sunday but his future beyond that match remains in doubt.
talkSPORT understands Eddie Howe is the frontrunner to succeed him should the Old Trafford hierarchy decide to wield the axe.
Julian Nagelsmann has also been sounded out, while Antonio Conte recently released a statement to deny he is in talks with any clubs amid links to the Man United job.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery are both thought to be distancing themselves from the Red Devils hotseat despite admiring glances from the board at United.