bbc.co.uk

Carrick 'doesn't question' the commitment of Man Utd players

Martinez

Martinez

Summary

Updates as Michael Carrick and Kobbie Mainoo speak before Man Utd face Roma at home in the Champions League on Tuesday

United are now without a win in nine games in all competitions, their longest such run since October-November 1988

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag believes it is "certainly possible" that United are relegated from the Premier League this season

Saturday's defeat to Chelsea also saw a red card for Lisandro Martinez, compounding the misery on Carrick's side

They are 21st in the Champions League league phase having won one and lost two of their three matches so far

That's your lot from both Manchester United boss Michael Carrick and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

You can watch their pre-match news conference back at your leisure at the top of this page under the 'watch & listen' tab.

Alternatively, here are some of the best bits for you to catch up on:

Carrick said he has "no concerns" with regard to the commitment of Lisandro Martinez to the club

On the wider group, the United boss emphasised that the dressing room is "in a good place" and he does not question the committment of any of the players

Carrick claimed his long-term future has no influence on the game on Tuesday evening and "what happens after, happens"

With regard to his mindset at the moment, the 45-year-old said "It is what I live for," before adding, "I love being here"

And finally, midfielder Kobbie Mainoo also fielded questions in the news conference and praised the United boss for "putting the trust" in him since taking charge of the club

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Manchester United reporter

There are so many reasons why Manchester United need to beat Serie A outfit Roma at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

Clearly they need to end that horrendous sequence of nine games without a win - the last time they went 10 was across two seasons in 1983-84 and 1984-85, in one season it was 1977-78.

But they also need to win to ease pressure on their Champions League campaign.

United probably need at least nine points to secure a top-24 berth and book a play-off.

Currently they have three. After tomorrow, they have four games left, which include a meeting with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in January.

Their other home game is against RB Leipzig next month, whilst there is a trip to Sporting in three weeks time and a final day visit to Villarreal.

This was always a tough set of fixtures. It looks even harder to plot a path through it right now.

A final word from Manchester United boss Michael Carrick on the club's chances of progressing in the Champions League: "Of course we are looking for the win. There is the bigger picture and it is about getting through to the later stages.

"One or two games you can get away with... as long as you make amends for that. There are times and these games...tomorrow, and the ones coming up are going to dictate that for us. We're certainly still in it. We've a great chance for progressing and that has to be the focus from now."

Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United arrives ahead of a matchImage source, Getty Images

Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United arrives ahead of a match

**On his player development in the past 12 months: "**I’ve tried to take on more responsibility in the team. I want to impose myself more in games and they’ve [Carrick and his staff] definitely helped me to do that, given me more responsibility with taking the ball.

"There have been ups and downs but I have to continue to try and have belief in myself and like I say, impose myself in games even in these tough times."

**On what Man United's values and if players are upholding them: "**United’s a huge club so I think a lot of people know the values that this club holds and have been passed down through the people who have worked here and have played here.

"I feel I take some responsibility in that in spreading the word of what is Manchester United, coming up through the academy and I plan to send that message for hopefully as long as I can."

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick on the fitness of Leny Yoro, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw: "Leny had a tendon issue that comes and goes. He has been managing it and has been fantastic since he has come back - one of our best players.

"I have been delighted with his performances. He is on a really good pathway.

"Luke will definitely not be available. Marcus we will have to see day-by-day."

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick on what is missing at the moment: "It is never one thing - it's always a number of things. It can be small things, it can be a little bit bigger. We know we need to get better at certain things.

"Against Chelsea we did a lot of really good things to give us a chance to not come away especially the first half without any goals, it was quite incredible really.

"We have to find a way out of this moment. We have done a lot of good things to help us to do that, we just couldn't capitalise on it, but we will do. We have to keep doing the right things."

On whether he has to change his mindset to being more positive?

"No, it's what I am, it's what I live for.

"A lot of people could do my job when you are winning a lot of football games. It is about finding the solutions, finding the answers, staying strong, leading right and getting the best out of the players and we have to keep pushing for that.

"But it doesn't change my mindset at all. I love being here, I love working with the players. The struggles, the challenges, that just drives you on to want even more."

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick was asked about the culture in the dressing room at the moment: "The dressing room is a good place. Perception is a funny thing. You can make things look different ways and think about all sorts of different things.

"The commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other - do not question at all. We need to play better, we can make better decisions, but the commitment is not a thing at all."

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo:

On his expectations versus reality playing for Man United: "I’ve been at this club for a long time and I know there’s always going to be ups and downs, it’s never going to be plain sailing and smooth to the top so you expect bumps and the best thing about it is you’re able to bounce back from them."

On players' gratitude for support and defence from Carrick: "Yeah of course, I feel like our way to repay that is to also be behind the manager on the pitch and off it and fight for us and fight for us as a team."

On fans' frustration: "In these tough times you can’t expect the fans one-hundred percent of the time to be happy and cheering when we’re not putting out results and we owe it to them to put results out there for them."

On what Carrick has done for him: "I’m very grateful to the boss for putting the trust in me as soon as he came in and putting that belief in me and giving me all the advice that he has knowing that he’s been a player for this club and knows the history of this club and what it takes to win.

"I take those words to heart and try to apply them every day in training and in games."

Kobbie Mainoo in Man utd trainingImage source, Getty Images

Kobbie Mainoo in Man utd training

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick on his side's form: "I know what we are capable of as a team and as a group. We have showed it in spells and bursts, showing it the other day.

"We know what we are capable of. We are close but need to act on it quickly.

"We have two great games this week. A great opportunity to attack the game and make it a good night."

Michael Carrick in Man Utd trainingImage source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick in Man Utd training

get involved

This team finished 3rd last season. If the players pull themselves together they will easily avoid relegation. It’s whether the player are willing to fight or if want a way out.

Abysmal start to the season for Man U but it all makes sense when you look at the lack of effort, lack of pressing. Carrick admitted that he wanted the team sitting back. Against Chelsea, they actually pressed and played well. Play like that every week, they'll finish top half.

get involved

Scary times as a Utd fan...and Halloween is over! The squad isnt good enough - You have to ask yourself, how many of them would get in other teams in the Premier League? We used to get the elite, now we're buying players that cant get in the Chelsea team!

Man Utd were last demoted in 1973 only 5 years after winning the European Cup in 1968. I remember it. The feeling of helplessness to stop the rot, whilst feeling entitled to be in the top division has echoes of current times (the last few years I would say).

Utd have players who definitely consider themselves too good for the Championship, but as a team they’re not good enough for the Premier League.

Read full news in source page