Michael Carrick dismisses question over Manchester United future as ridiculous
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has dismissed questions over his future as "ridiculous," insisting he is focused on turning the club's fortunes around rather than worrying about his position.
Carrick's side travel to Fulham on Sunday looking to respond after a difficult week that saw them lose to Manchester City before suffering a shocking Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
United had taken a 2-0 lead against Brighton at Old Trafford on Wednesday but surrendered their advantage before losing the tie. Supporters responded with boos and chants against the team.
Carrick, however, said he was not allowing the recent results to influence his thinking about his future at the club.
"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," Carrick said.
"I get all that. In terms of future and ownership and how long I've got in the job, that's totally not in my thinking. It's ridiculous to think that way in the position I'm in. That's just not on the radar.
"It's two or three games. It's two or three games too many because I really hate losing, but that doesn't mean the world caves in. In some minds it does, it can't for us."
Carrick has accepted responsibility for United's poor start but does not want the focus to shift towards finding someone to blame.
"It's not a blame game. Blame me, no problem. I will take the responsibility," he said.
"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."
United have won only two of their opening six matches in all competitions, with victories coming against newly promoted Ipswich Town and Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK in the Champions League.
The club's senior figures have not given any indication that Carrick's position is under immediate threat, with the focus instead on why so many players have failed to replicate the form that helped United win 12 of their final 17 games last season.
Carrick acknowledged that the pressure surrounding United is often amplified because of the size and expectations of the club.
"It's not a catastrophe or a disaster. It's not the end of the world," he said.
"There's great feelings, and there's obviously disappointments, and sometimes the smaller disappointments lead to being a little bit bigger. It's just part of coping and being at this great football club.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, genuinely.
"It's the best place for me to be, in part because of the times when it's maybe 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."
Carrick has also faced questions over recruitment, United's finances, his relative lack of managerial experience and the coaching staff around him.
The former United midfielder said those issues would not distract the team from trying to improve.
"We've got to perform and we've got a lot of games to plan for," he said.
Carrick also provided an update on the squad ahead of the Fulham trip, revealing that Luke Shaw and new signing Carlos Baleba have a chance of being fit for the match. A late decision will be taken on their availability.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 21:29 IST
