Michael Carrick says he is looking forward to Tuesday’s Champions League game against Roma at Old Trafford, even though Manchester United have not won in nine matches in all competitions. He admits that his outlook may sound “crazy” given the results.
United go into the game on a run that is their worst since 1988-89. They have not gone 10 games without a win in a single campaign since 1977-78, and there is a growing feeling that Carrick could lose his job during the international break.
Roma’s only defeat this season came at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League last month, when they led 3-1 with seven minutes left. United sit 17th in the Premier League. After defeats by Atletico Madrid and Como, they have slumped to 21st in the Champions League table after three games, with only the top 24 progressing.
Carrick sees chance to change the narrative
Despite the bleak backdrop, Carrick is viewing the match as an opportunity to change the story of the season.
“You might think I’m crazy with the results we’ve had and what’s going on, but genuinely, I really can’t wait for the game,” said Carrick. “I’m really looking forward to it.
“Listen, I can’t look into the future, you never know what’s going to happen. That doesn’t change the way I feel. Whatever happens is going to happen in whatever direction it goes in, but we want to make it a big night tomorrow.”
Carrick watched a lively, open pre-match training session at Carrington. Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba were particularly vocal, while Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez was fully engaged despite his red card at Chelsea, which triggered a strongly negative reaction.
Although there have been calls for Martinez to be dropped for the Roma game, Carrick took a more philosophical view.
“Sometimes you do things; you make a decision, you make mistakes. Sometimes it goes well for you.”
He also dismissed concerns about Martinez’s commitment and that of the whole squad.
“Perceptions are a funny thing,” he said. “They can make things look all sorts of different ways. The dressing room is a good place.
“I’ve said it before, I don’t question the commitment of the players, to the club and to me and to each other. We need to play better. We can make better decisions. But commitment’s not a thing at all.”
Mainoo: “We are one win away”
Kobbie Mainoo, the England midfielder, sat alongside Carrick at the media conference and also stressed the strength of the group. He returned from a four-match absence with a muscular issue as a second-half substitute at Chelsea.
At 21, Mainoo is one of the youngest players in the squad. However, having joined the club aged seven, he is also the longest-serving and understands the responsibilities of life in the Old Trafford spotlight.
“I’ve been at this club for a long time and know there’s always going to be ups and downs,” he said. “It’s never going to be plain sailing and smooth to the top. You expect bumps.
“Of course it’s been a tough season. We’ve not had the results we’ve wanted, but I feel like we’re one win away from changing that.”
United were last relegated in 1973-74. They have not been in the relegation zone after nine or more games since November 1986, when they collected a single point in Sir Alex Ferguson’s first two games in charge following Ron Atkinson’s dismissal. Their lowest position after at least nine games since then was 17th in 1989-90, and they were 16th under Ruben Amorim after 37 games of the 2024-25 season.
Mainoo says the current position is unacceptable for a club of United’s size.
“United’s a huge club,” he said. “I think a lot of people know the values this club holds and have been passed down through the people who’ve worked here and played here.
“I feel like I take some responsibility in spreading the word of what Manchester United is, coming up through the academy, and I plan to send that message for as long as I can.”