Manchester United coach Michael Carrick admits the Champions League defeat to Como was ‘bad for a lot of reasons’ and confirms he’s in ongoing ‘conversations’ with the club.
Carrick is walking on thin ice after a 4-1 Champions League loss to Como on Wednesday.
The former England and Manchester United midfielder’s position as the Red Devils’ coach is under scrutiny, and the recent defeat against Cesc Fabregas’ men has only increased the noise around him.
What Carrick said after Como’s 4-1 win vs. Man Utd
“We’ve had a spell that we’re really not happy with. Wednesday was a bad night,” Carrick said at a press conference on Friday, as quoted by The Manchester Evening News.
“It was a bad night for a lot of reasons, you know, it was a bad night and that kind of hurt a lot, it actually hurt me to see us play that way, to see how the game panned out.
“I said after the game, it was really unacceptable for us to play like that and to be like that,” he added.
“The supporters are a huge part of this football club. For me to see the supporters have to make the effort and the time and spend the money to come and support us on Wednesday and have the feeling after the game, like we all felt, was a tough moment. I think that’s pretty obvious.”
Antonio Conte, a former Chelsea and Tottenham coach, has been linked with the Manchester United job, and Carrick confirmed he spoke with club directors after Wednesday’s loss at the Stadio Sinigaglia.
“Yeah, we spoke, obviously, there’s always conversations going on,” he admitted.
“I think it’s pretty obvious how we’re all feeling. It’s pretty obvious how we all feel, a reaction [is needed] from me. My responsibility for me to be in this position is to lead, you know? It is my responsibility for whatever goes on the pitch and what we are, and what we look like, and what we feel like.
“I’ll hold that umbrella for me to get wet and for everyone else to stay dry, you know? That’s the position I’m in, it’s a privileged position. Discussions going on getting the players in a good frame of mind, well organised, to put in a good performance on Sunday.100%, yeah [I’m the right man to turn it round].”
Conte opened up about speculation over his future with a social media statement on Friday. The Italian tactician said he isn’t in advanced talks with any club at the moment, but didn’t rule out joining a new club soon.
Como, meanwhile, will prepare for tomorrow’s Serie A match against Sassuolo, with Fabregas facing a selection crisis up front as Moise Kean, Mattia Liberali and Assane Diao will be unavailable.