Michael Carrick says he is "carrying on as normal" as Manchester United head coach, with his position under scrutiny following a nine-game winless run that ended with a 3-2 Champions League win over Roma.
The victory against Roma earlier this week halted a poor run of results that led the club's decision-makers to consider Carrick's future. Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox held talks about whether to sack Carrick after a heavy defeat to Bournemouth last month.
Carrick's future uncertain
The November international break, which begins after Sunday's game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, could provide an opportunity for a managerial change if that is deemed the best course of action.
During his pre-Villa press conference, Carrick was asked whether he had been told he would still be in charge after the international break. "No, no. Just carry on as absolute normal," he said.
Plans for international break
Carrick also outlined plans for players not called up for international duty. "I'm not exactly sure yet because some (call-ups) haven't been confirmed yet, maybe three or four maybe senior players in and around it, but we'll certainly train next week and maybe have the weekend off," he said.
"We'll see how that develops, who's left behind, who's with us and what they need, but there'll certainly be training next week."
Reflecting on the break, Carrick added: "I think international breaks are always a time, I think, when talking about the players that aren't going away and for the staff, I think there is a little bit to re-energise and freshen up. I think some of the players that go away in internationals, they get freshened up in a different environment, so there is an element of that, but I don't really need it. I'm fine as I am."
Mindset and momentum
Carrick said he has been unaffected by the difficult run, but acknowledged his players must show their mettle during the rough patch.
"I'm not an athlete anymore, but as a performer and elite athlete, you know we're always striving for close to perfection. You never get perfection, you always want to be getting to that on your limit really and playing right on the edge," he said.
"With that, I'd say a huge chunk of that is your mindset, your mentality, your confidence, and that feeling that you have. So it is coping with that, that's a major part of it, and it's kind of obvious to say that, but it is something that we have to all take into account."
"Speaking to the players from my perspective of understanding where they're at with it for sure is important. That's why I say to have that feeling, momentum in sport is massive. Momentum within games, momentum day-to-day, week-to-week, game-to-game, it's huge. Sometimes it's always difficult to quantify where that is, but with your feelings and your emotions to roll with it, I think it's important."
"That's just kind of form, in some ways, of why players or teams have good spells and then struggle in other spells. It's all got to come together, but feeling, confidence, and that emotion, and sometimes not even thinking. You're at your best when you don't think too much and you just trust and play on instinct, and I think we did a lot of that the other night."
