Michael Carrick was not best pleased with what he saw from his Manchester United players during their 4-1 defeat away against Como in the Champions League on Tuesday night, slamming an ‘unacceptable’ performance but insisting that ‘I 100% take responsibility, it stops with me’.
Goals from Nico Paz (x2), Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon sent Como 4-0 up against Manchester United at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Wednesday evening, former Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee pulling back a late consolation in injury time.
You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Carrick critical after Como 4-1 Manchester United
When he spoke ahead of kick-off, Carrick siad that he wanted to see his players take control of the game, but in the end, they were bettered in terms of possession, passes made, completed, pass accuracy, shots and shots on target.
“It was more than disappointing,” the United head coach said after the full-time whistle. “I think everybody has got to take responsibility for that. I 100% take responsibility for the overall team and the performance – that’s where it stops. It stops with me and I’m absolutely fine with that. I accept that totally.
“But as a supporter of this football club for so long, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say.”
Carrick had to apologise in front of the traveling Manchester United fans who had remained in the stadium until the end of the game. Many of them packed up and left at 4-0.
“I care an unbelievable amount about the supporters,” said Carrick. They are the heartbeat of this football club and they always will be.
“For them to travel, I had to apologise for the performance. To have to watch a performance like that, I totally feel for them. There are no excuses at all. It is not acceptable.”
Carrick was also asked if he feels he has the backing of the Manchester United board, to which he replied: “It’s not about me. It’s about digesting the game and how it went. That is the most important thing right now.”