Michael Carrick says he has “got to deal with what’s next and see what that looks like” after Manchester United’s catastrophic night in Como piled the pressure on the furious manager.
The former midfielder last season steered the Red Devils to a third-place finish and Champions League return, having improved the mood, performances and results following Ruben Amorim’s rocky reign.
But Carrick now appears to be facing the same fate as every other manager since Sir Alex Ferguson after United’s winless run extended to a seventh match in Wednesday’s 4-1 humbling at Como.
The 45-year-old walked over to apologise to the travelling support following a chastening loss that saw skipper Bruno Fernandes publicly question the manager’s approach in Italy.
Those comments, coupled with an alarming display, raise serious questions about Carrick’s future ahead of Sunday’s Premier League home game against Bournemouth.
“I’m bitterly disappointed,” he said. “I’m frustrated, more than frustrated. I’m really angry, to be honest.
“But you’ve got to move on, you’ve got to deal with what’s next and see what that looks like.
“At this moment in time, there’s a lot to do before that next game, to get the team ready, because that was a difficult night for everyone.”
In truth, it has been a difficult start to the season for all connected to United.
Carrick’s side have won just one of their seven Premier League matches and their seven-point haul represents the club’s worst return at this stage since 1986.
They fell at the first hurdle of the Carabao Cup in embarrassing fashion to Brighton and have lost Champions League games at Atletico Madrid and Como after opening with a win against minnows Sabah.
That 4-0 triumph six weeks ago is their last victory in all competitions and there were few signs on the shores of Lake Como that things will improve, especially given under-performing captain Fernandes’ comments.
Asked if he felt the United squad were still playing for him given those remarks and the group’s efforts in Italy, under-fire Carrick said: “It shouldn’t be (about) me.
“It’s not about playing for me, it’s about playing for this football club. It’s the responsibility that comes (with it).
“I’m responsible for the football club and the supporters and giving my best – absolute best – all the time, care about it. My whole life is wrapped around it.
“Listen, it might go well, it might not go so well, but I genuinely give everything that I possibly can.
“It’s really not about me and the relationship. It’s about what we all give – players, staff – for this football club.”
United are yet to confirm when they will preview Sunday’s match against Bournemouth, or indeed whether Carrick will be the one facing the media as speculation swirls over his position.
A trip to Chelsea follows next weekend, before heading into the international break with a home Champions League fixture against Roma and Premier League date with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.