Man Utd: Carrick Backs Players After Gary Neville Remarks

Cunha also referred to the intense scrutiny surrounding United during a post-match interview.

Neville contributes significantly to that attention, both through his own commentary and his expanding media business.

Carrick has previously insisted that he is capable of ignoring outside opinions.

However, that cannot be straightforward when United supporters, who normally stand by their team during difficult periods, expressed their anger after the Brighton setback and then jeered Carrick’s decision to replace popular England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo with 11 minutes remaining.

Carrick said substitutions would always provoke different responses, adding that he had spoken with Kobbie after the match and that the midfielder had no concerns.

He acknowledged that emotions can run high when the team is searching for a result, particularly among supporters who are eager to see the correct decisions being made.

Nevertheless, Carrick said he did not view the reaction negatively or take it personally, explaining that the team’s priority was to continue making choices that could help them get back into the contest.

He also praised the fans for supporting the players throughout the match and said the late response had at least given them a modest positive to take away, with better performances expected in the future.

That is the central issue.

A draw away to Fulham represents only limited progress, especially as the hosts began the match at the bottom of the Premier League before moving above Tottenham.

United have collected just five points from five matches, leaving them in 12th place and already 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Carlos Baleba, the club’s £70m summer arrival, is still waiting for his first appearance, while long-term absentee Matthijs de Ligt did not feature despite both players travelling with the squad on Saturday.

Benjamin Sesko was also unavailable after aggravating the shin injury against Brighton that had troubled him for much of last season and previously required a rehabilitation programme lasting more than three months.

Carrick said the seriousness of the injury remains unclear at this stage.

The disappointing results have been compounded by ticketing problems arising from the club’s attempt to combat reselling, a policy that has frustrated many supporters.

United are due to publish their full-year financial figures through 30 June on Wednesday, when the scale of the club’s current debt should become clearer.

Questions also remain over the merits of building a new stadium expected to cost more than £2bn. A planning application could be submitted alongside the broader Old Trafford redevelopment proposal, currently scheduled for late 2027 or early 2028.

After unexpectedly guiding United back into the Champions League last season, Carrick now finds himself managing a club whose supporters appear discouraged, even though he rejects that description.

Carrick stressed that much of the campaign remains and said every team experiences difficult periods over the course of a long season.

He described the campaign as an extended challenge rather than a short race.

He was careful not to minimise the situation, admitting that United had expected to earn more points and improve in several areas, while also recognising the frustration surrounding their results.

However, Carrick maintained that there was no sense of discouragement inside the club or among the squad. He said the players showed their resilience on the pitch and believes that attitude will sustain them throughout the season.