Michael Carrick has insisted he is fully committed to Manchester United as the club's winless run extended to six matches following a 1-1 draw at Leeds United. The result leaves the Red Devils 13th in the Premier League, with pressure mounting on the former midfielder.
Bryan Mbeumo gave United a 1-0 lead at Elland Road in the 35th minute, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised for Leeds in the 51st minute as defensive issues resurfaced. Carrick's side have now won only once in seven Premier League games this season, a stark contrast to last campaign when he guided the club to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification after replacing Ruben Amorim.
Carrick responds to commitment doubts
Carrick hit back at suggestions he was reluctant to return to management before taking the United job. The comments stem from club legend Nicky Butt, who spoke on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast about a conversation with Carrick after his dismissal from Middlesbrough.
Butt said: "I was with Michael before he got the Man United job and spoke to him about management. He went, 'No it's not for me, it's too much. My head's all over the show. I'd only do it for the big job.' The big job is Man United."
When the remarks were put to Carrick in a press conference, the 45-year-old said: "I definitely wouldn't be here if that was the case, would I? At this stage. It's the best job I could possibly have. It's the best role I could possibly have. I feel a real privilege of being in this position and a real responsibility, but equally a drive of wanting to make a difference and having success here."
Dressing room concerns over documentary
United's underperforming players are reportedly worried that filming for Amazon Prime's All or Nothing series is negatively affecting their performances. The Red Devils are the latest Premier League club to feature in the docuseries, which has previously covered Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Sun has reported that the presence of cameras has meant "punches are being pulled" during dressing room debriefs, potentially contributing to the team's struggles. However, Carrick previously addressed the documentary filming in August, saying: "That's been fine. It's obviously a little bit new, and unique, but the actual day-to-day workings of it, we have that many cameras around anyway that the boys are kind of half-used to it. We've got to work through it, of course, but they've been respectful. It probably seems bigger from the outside than it is day-to-day when we're working in it."
Neville warns of January sack risk
Gary Neville believes Carrick will face a serious problem with his job at risk if United are still in the bottom half of the table by January. Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast after the 1-1 draw, the Sky Sports pundit said: "[There's] a depressed standard and a low expectation right now. But it'll feel like a stepping stone for Michael Carrick, and it'll feel like the first step on the ladder in the Premier League."
Neville added that United must finish at least fifth this season, saying: "Fifth is a must for Michael Carrick to continue to grow and Manchester United continue to grow with investment. If they're 13th in January, he's got a problem because then you are what you are, whereas I think it's still early enough, seven points from seven games, to say, 'Okay, still early in the season'; you can't say that after 15 games." He also highlighted upcoming fixtures, stating: "It has to change in the next few weeks: Bournemouth is really important, and Chelsea away, and how he manages the games in between that."
