Michael Carrick has echoed a comment David Moyes made during his time at Manchester United, as the current boss faces growing scrutiny over a poor start to the season.
United have won just two of their nine games in all competitions, sit 13th in the Premier League and suffered an early Carabao Cup exit to Brighton. A 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid was the latest setback.
Carrick embraces pressure amid poor run
Despite the disappointing form, Carrick insisted he is embracing the pressure. “I love this part, of sometimes when it’s not quite going for you, you see who’s really there, you see within the group, the players, the squad, the club, who’s really there and who wants to be here for the long term,” he said ahead of facing Atletico.
“The supporters are there, they’re desperate for it, and we’ve got to give them something. I think you’ve got to embrace the challenges to get to where you want to be. We’re right there now in the middle of it, but totally believe that we’ll work through it.”
Carrick added: “Of course we hoped for a lot more, we’ve expected a lot more. But I was well aware of the chances of going in that direction. Winning as many games as we had, there was going to be a period when it was going to become a little bit more challenging and a little bit sticky.”
Moyes' similar admission before sacking
His comments mirror those made by Moyes in August 2013, shortly after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson. Moyes had overseen an opening win over Swansea City and was preparing to face Chelsea when he said: “I keep hearing David Moyes is under pressure but as long as we play like that I don't mind at all. I am actually used to being under pressure.”
“It seems to suit my nature but, when you have the quality at your disposal that we have, it doesn't feel like pressure in the same way. We might not be seen as favourites any longer but we have shown we can still be a match for anyone. At this stage of the season you can't ask for a lot more.”
Despite that optimism, Moyes was sacked eight months later, with Ryan Giggs overseeing the final four games of the 2013/14 campaign. Carrick was part of that squad, making 36 appearances, and later reflected on the manager's time in charge.
“When you look at it, it just didn't work that season and we didn't have a great season in the end,” Carrick said to Sky Sports in 2017. “Unfortunately for David, he lost his job so I'm sad how it finished but I suppose that's football. If you don't get the results, and you're the manager, you suffer for it.”
Carrick will have an opportunity to get his team back to winning ways against Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday.
