Carrick tells Manchester United players the ‘hard truth’ as club slide continues
Michael Carrick said he delivered the “hard truth” to Manchester United players as he seeks to halt a run of eight matches without a win, with the club 16th in the league and one point above the relegation zone.
Carrick acknowledged he has held difficult conversations with both the playing squad and the club hierarchy, saying he had spoken this week with director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. His position had been under threat after last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, but he has retained the head coach role for the time being and been allowed the chance to try to turn results around. The team start the weekend at Chelsea on Saturday.
United’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth prompted mixed reactions from supporters: Carrick was applauded during a lap of honour while the players were booed in the tunnel amid complaints about the performance and perceived lack of effort. Carrick said the squad were “hurting” and also “hungry” to change their fortunes. He described the atmosphere around the match as difficult for everyone involved.
Addressing the nature of recent meetings, Carrick said: “It’s pretty clear, it’s not always rosy and nice conversations between anyone, whether that’s between me and the players, whether that’s between me, Jason, Omar or the owners. It’s the truth, it’s the hard truth at times and it’s what we need to move forward. Whatever we need to move forward, we will do.”
Reflecting on the supporters’ reaction, Carrick said: “I’ll be totally honest, it was mixed feelings for me. To have the appreciation from the supporters and that connection and that respect is something I feel strongly about. It wasn’t a nice situation but to feel that was important, of course, but it didn’t make me feel better in the fact that I’m with the players 100% and we’re all in it together. I’ve told the players that, I’m happy to say that. I didn’t feel comfortable being in any way, shape or form, a separation from that. That’s my group, my players and this is my football club so we have to all be in it together, and that’s the supporters included. As hard as it is at the moment, I totally get that, I get their feelings, but when we get through this then we’ll be a lot stronger as a whole.”
Former United defender Gary Neville criticised some players’ professionalism on his podcast, saying: “I’ve got no time for them. There’s a few of them that don’t go to bed at the right time. Don’t eat the right things.” Carrick responded to those remarks with a laugh and the comment: “Gaz says a lot of things.”
Carrick remains in charge for now and Manchester United travel to Chelsea on Saturday as they attempt to arrest their eight-match winless run and improve their position one point above the relegation zone.