'Not a catastrophe' - Carrick dismisses Man Utd job fears

Michael Carrick brushed off concerns about his future at Manchester United, insisting it would be “ridiculous” to dwell on how long he has held the position after just “two or three” disappointing results. Speaking ahead of the club’s trip to Fulham on Sunday, he said the recent run of form had not shaken his confidence. His comments came after a turbulent week that saw United lose at home to a Manchester City side reduced to ten men after 23 minutes. Brighton then became the first team in 50 years to overturn a two‑goal deficit and win at Old Trafford in a Carabao Cup encounter. The midweek setback provoked boos and chants from sections of the Old Trafford crowd. Carrick told reporters he was “not bothered” by the external pressure, a sentiment he repeated when addressing the media before the Fulham match. “I know the club, I know the role, I know what's expected here in terms of playing to a certain standard and achieving certain things on the pitch,” he added. “I get all that.” He continued, “In terms of the future and ownership and however long I've got in the job, that's wholly not in my thinking. It's ridiculous to think that way in the position I'm in, that's just not on the radar.” He framed the recent slump as merely “2 or 3 games. It's 2 or 3 games too many because I truly hate losing, but that doesn't mean the world caves in. In some minds it does, it can't for us.” Senior figures inside the club have signalled no threat to Carrick’s role, instead focusing on the broader issue of underperformance among many players. United had won 12 of their 17 matches under the 45‑year‑old during the second half of last season, yet have managed only two victories from six games this term – a hard‑fought win over newly promoted Ipswich and a Champions League triumph against Azerbaijan’s Sabah FK. “It's not a catastrophe or a disaster,” said Carrick. “It's not the end of the world.” He acknowledged that the noise surrounding a club of United’s stature often magnifies problems, making them appear larger than they are. Nevertheless, he affirmed his affection for the position and the institution. “There's big feelings, and there's obviously disappointments, and sometimes the smaller disappointments lead to being a little bit bigger,” he added. “It's just part of coping and being at this big football club.” He concluded, “I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, truly. It's the best place for me to be, in part because of the times when it's possibly not going to plan. Sometimes they are best times to work your way through, to find out a few things and come out an awful lot stronger.” Outside the dressing room, scrutiny has centred on recruitment – particularly the lack of a left‑back option – the club’s finances and debt levels, Carrick’s relative inexperience, and the performance of his coaching staff aside from assistant boss Steve Holland. Carrick dismissed the notion that the situation was a “bloody game,” noting that Luke Shaw and new signing Carlos Baleba “have a chance” to be ready for the Craven Cottage fixture. “We all look for things to look at and point at, or whatever reason it may be and find a blame. Blame me. No problem. I will take the responsibility.” He stressed, “But it's not about blaming people. It's about us, it's about us finding solutions and being better. That's as a whole football club.”