Carrick rejects questions over his Manchester United future ahead of Fulham trip
Michael Carrick said he was not thinking about how long he will remain Manchester United manager when speaking to the media before the trip to Fulham on Sunday, and he pointed to his record of 14 wins from 23 games since taking charge in January 2026. He described it as “ridiculous” to dwell on his future after a short run of poor results.
United endured a difficult week that included a home defeat by Manchester City, who were reduced to 10 men after 23 minutes, and a Carabao Cup tie in which Brighton became the first side in 50 years to recover from two goals down to win at Old Trafford. Fans expressed their frustration with boos and chants against the team following the cup exit. Senior figures at the club have not signalled that Carrick’s job is under threat; their concerns centre on a perceived underperformance by several players compared with the 12 wins from 17 matches achieved under the 45-year-old in the second half of last season. By contrast, United have managed two victories from six matches so far — a comeback win at newly promoted Ipswich and a Champions League victory over Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK.
On the subject of expectations and pressure Carrick said: "I know the club, I know the role, I know what's expected here in terms of playing to a certain standard and achieving certain things on the pitch." He added: "In terms of future and ownership and how long I've got in the job, that's totally not in my thinking. It's ridiculous to think that way in the position I'm in, that's just not on the radar."
Asked about the recent setbacks, Carrick said: "It's two or three games. It's two or three games too many because I really hate losing, but that doesn't mean the world caves in. In some minds it does, it can't for us." He also downplayed the situation, saying: "It's not a catastrophe or a disaster."
Carrick spoke about his connection to the club and the mixed emotions that come with the role, saying: "There's great feelings, and there's obviously disappointments, and sometimes the smaller disappointments lead to being a little bit bigger. It's just part of coping and being at this great football club. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, genuinely. It's the best place for me to be, in part because of the times when it's maybe not going to plan. Sometimes they are best times to work your way through, to find out a few things and come out an awful lot stronger." The manager referenced his history at United as a player and the place where he began his coaching career.
Externally, discussions around United have focused on recruitment — specifically a perceived lack of signing at left-back — the club's finances and debt levels, and questions about Carrick's relative inexperience and that of his coaching staff, other than assistant boss Steve Holland. On responsibility, Carrick said: "It's not a blame game." He continued: "We all search for things to look at and point at, or whatever reason it may be and find a blame. Blame me. No problem. I will take the responsibility. But it's not about blaming people. It's about us, it's about us finding solutions and being better. That's as a whole football club."
United travel to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, and Carrick revealed that Luke Shaw and new signing Carlos Baleba "have a chance" of being fit for the Craven Cottage meeting.
