Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has been asked about his future at Old Trafford ahead of this weekend's game against Aston Villa
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has been under pressure at Man United
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick insists he is "carrying on as normal" ahead of this weekend's clash with Aston Villa. United's 3-2 victory over Roma in the Champions League earlier this week ended a dismal nine-match winless streak, a poor run of form that prompted the club's hierarchy to review Carrick's position.
Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox held discussions regarding Carrick's future following last month's comprehensive defeat to Bournemouth, and the November international break could provide an opportunity to implement a managerial change if necessary after Villa's trip to Old Trafford.
During his pre-Villa press briefing, Carrick was questioned whether he'd received assurances about remaining in post beyond the international break. "No, no. Just carry on as absolute normal," he responded.
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Carrick also outlined arrangements for players not selected for international duty. "I'm not exactly sure yet because some (call-ups) haven't been confirmed yet, maybe three or four maybe senior players in and around it, but we'll certainly train next week and maybe have the weekend off," he said.
"We'll see how that develops, who's left behind, who's with us and what they need, but there'll certainly be training next week. I think international breaks are always a time, I think, when talking about the players that aren't going away and for the staff, I think there is a little bit to re-energise and freshen up.
"I think some of the players that go away in internationals, they get freshened up in a different environment, so there is an element of that, but I don't really need it. I'm fine as I am."
While Carrick insisted the challenging period hasn't taken its toll on him personally, he acknowledged his squad must demonstrate their character during this testing spell.
"I'm not an athlete anymore, but as a performer and elite athlete, you know we're always striving for close to perfection. You never get perfection, you always want to be getting to that on your limit really and playing right on the edge," he added.
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"With that, I'd say a huge chunk of that is your mindset, your mentality, your confidence, and that feeling that you have. So it is coping with that, that's a major part of it, and it's kind of obvious to say that, but it is something that we have to all take into account.
"Speaking to the players from my perspective of understanding where they're at with it for sure is important. That's why I say to have that feeling, momentum in sport is massive.
Carrick continued: "Momentum within games, momentum day-to-day, week-to-week, game-to-game, it's huge. Sometimes it's always difficult to quantify where that is, but with your feelings and your emotions to roll with it, I think it's important.
"That's just kind of form, in some ways, of why players or teams have good spells and then struggle in other spells. It's all got to come together, but feeling, confidence, and that emotion, and sometimes not even thinking.
"You're at your best when you don't think too much and you just trust and play on instinct, and I think we did a lot of that the other night."
The clash is set to get underway at Old Trafford at 4.30pm on Sunday.