Michael Carrick’s position as Manchester United manager is uncertain following Wednesday night’s embarrassing 4-1 Champions League loss to Como.
His future could be considered before Sunday’s home match against Bournemouth by director of football Jason Wilcox, chief executive Omar Berrada and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees sporting decisions.
After a miserable evening, an “angry” Carrick said he had not considered his own future. He also had to respond to Bruno Fernandes after the captain questioned the decision not to press Cesc Fàbregas’s side. Carrick, meanwhile, criticised his players for failing to run enough. The result leaves United with just two victories in 11 matches this season. They sit 13th in the Premier League and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup last month.
Asked whether he was concerned about losing his job, the 45-year-old replied: “Honestly, I haven’t thought about my position. My focus is on the supporters. I watched that as one of them, and I was deeply unhappy with what I saw.”
Carrick was also questioned about whether he might step down after another European defeat. “No. This is not about me or how I feel,” he said. “The priority is what we want to represent as a team and as a football club. Results will sometimes fluctuate, but there is a standard and a manner in which we must perform. That display was nowhere near it.”
Around 700 United fans made the journey, with approximately 200 still inside the stadium at the end. Carrick approached them to apologise while appearing to ignore his players. United offered little response after Nico Paz opened the scoring in the second minute. Como were 3-0 ahead by the 57th minute after a goal from Tasos Douvikas and another from Paz. Jacobo Ramón added the Italian club’s fourth in the 76th minute, while Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation for the visitors.
During the game, Fernandes publicly questioned Carrick’s approach. “The coaching staff decided against using a man-to-man press, instead allowing some space and waiting for opportunities to regain possession,” he said. “But when you give teams like this room to play, their confidence grows.”
When asked whether Carrick’s tactical plan had been incorrect, the captain said: “That is for the manager and his staff to assess, not me. At times, we need to show greater courage under pressure, accept the risk of pressing higher and make our opponents uncomfortable. Their centre-back even followed me into my own half. We need to act with that same commitment as a team, but we couldn’t do it.”
Carrick was later told about Fernandes’s comments. “We did switch to a partial man-to-man press in the second half, and then we conceded from it,” he said.
“Regardless of the formation or tactical setup, you will not win if you fail to run, whether that means moving forward or tracking back.”
Asked how he intended to improve morale before the Bournemouth match, Carrick expressed his disappointment with the performance.
“I’m extremely disappointed and frustrated. In truth, I’m furious. But we have to move forward, address the next challenge and determine how we respond.”
“There is a great deal of work to complete before the next game so that the team is properly prepared. It was a painful evening for everyone, and I owe the supporters an apology.”
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