Michael Carrick has revealed the half-time team talk that helped Manchester United overturn a 2-0 deficit to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford. The home side were booed off at the break after a dismal first-half display, but responded with a stirring second-half comeback.
Carrick's message to the players
Speaking to Amazon Prime Sport, Carrick explained what he told his players during the interval. "We talked about what we wanted to do in the game," he said. "We started OK and then the goal came from nowhere. We caused ourselves a few issues. In some ways understandable with the run we've been on, a little bit anxious and a few nerves at times."
He added: "It was a challenging game. I think we started OK in the game, we knew it was going to be tough - they've only had one defeat all season. They're a very, very good team."
Belief in a comeback
Carrick said he encouraged his players to stay positive at half-time, drawing on his experience of dramatic turnarounds at Old Trafford. "Then I thought we grew into the game a bit at the end of the first half and I spoke at half-time about being positive. Anything can happen here, I've seen it many times over the years. You just need something to go our way and the boys were fantastic second half."
"They kept going, didn't get disappointed and got exactly what they deserved in the end."
Turning point and looking ahead
When asked if he sensed a comeback after Bruno Fernandes' retaken penalty found the net, Carrick replied: "This place does it. No matter what situation you're in, how tough it can seem, the supporters are desperate to get behind you and we gave them something to go on."
"We gave them other opportunities to score and it was close, and you're thinking 'that's another chance gone by' but we kept looking, kept pushing for answers and we found them in the end."
Addressing his future, which had been uncertain going into the European tie, he added: "I don't have a crystal ball to know what happens next. We move on to the weekend, we've got a really important game here against Aston Villa, which we need to prepare for right."
