Michael Carrick apologised to Manchester United's soaked supporters and ignored his players after a 4-1 defeat at Como, a result that has left his position under severe threat. The loss, described as arguably the worst of a disappointing campaign, prompted calls from fans for the manager to be sacked.
Of the 700 supporters who travelled to Como in heavy rain, most had left the open-ended away section before the final whistle. After shaking hands with Cesc Fabregas, Carrick walked over to the remaining 100 fans, placed a hand on his chest, and raised both arms in apology before heading down the tunnel.
Manager Takes Full Responsibility
Carrick has won just two of 11 games this season. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, he said: "It was more than disappointing. I think everybody has got to take responsibility for that. I 100 per cent take responsibility for the overall team and the performance - that's where it stops."
He added: "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 also expressed his sympathy for the travelling fans: "I care an unbelievable amount about the supporters. 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."
Captain Questions Tactics
When asked about his future, Carrick replied: "It's not about me. It's about digesting the game and how it went. That is the most important thing right now."
Captain Bruno Fernandes, who was substituted after a poor display, suggested the staff's tactical approach was flawed. "It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence," Fernandes said.
"That's on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to."
He concluded: "A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide."
