Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick believes a "number of things" are to blame for his team's poor results this season. United's winless run was extended to nine last weekend after a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League, a result that means they have lost seven of their 13 games in all competitions this term.
Worst start in 40 years
Carrick has presided over United's worst start to a campaign in 40 years, forcing the board to consider his future, but he remains in the hot seat ahead of a challenging two games this week. United will take on Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and they will welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford in the league on Sunday.
The November international break will commence after those fixtures, and the pause in the domestic calendar will offer clubs a chance to make a managerial change.
Carrick on what's missing
Carrick is fighting for his future and feels several factors are to blame for United's awful results. "There's never one thing. It's a number of things," he said when asked what his team have been missing.
"Of course performances, and level of performances goes a long way to achieving that, and then on the back of that, results, you know. And it's never one thing. It's always a number of things."
"Sometimes it can be small things, can be a little bit bigger, but we know we need to get better at certain things. And as I said, I think the other day against Chelsea we did a lot of really good things to give us a chance."
"Especially the first half without any goals for us was quite incredible really, and we've got to find a way out of this kind of moment really. We done a lot of good things to help us do that. We just couldn't quite capitalise on it, but we will do. So we've got to keep doing the right things."
Confidence ahead of Roma clash
United last won a game against Sabah in the Champions League on September 16, but Carrick insists the group has confidence ahead of facing Roma. "I know the players and I know what we're capable of as a team, individually, as a group," he said.
"I think we've showed it in spells, we've showed it in bursts, we showed it a little bit the other day. We should have been up in the game (vs Chelsea) in a really good position going into the second half, and then obviously, as I've already said, the game got away from us."
"But knowing what we're capable of when we put it together and I've said it before, you know, that's always very close. We've got to act on it now. We've got to make a difference and we've got to make the difference quite quickly. But as Kobbie has already said, we've got two great games this week."
"Taking one at a time for sure, but it's another great opportunity for us to go and attack the game, look forward to the game, and make it a good night for us."
