Michael Carrick has been sacked as Manchester United head coach just under six months after being permanently appointed. His final act in the role was to defend Diogo Dalot in his post-match press conference.
The decision came after a run of results that included heavy defeats against Bournemouth and Como, leaving Carrick's position at Old Trafford under serious threat. Following the Bournemouth loss, United's hierarchy held crisis talks at Carrington to decide his future, ultimately choosing to stick with Carrick until the November international break.
Final matches and departure
Despite a defeat to Chelsea, a comeback win over Roma and a thrilling 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, United have now chosen to part ways with Carrick. In one of his final acts as head coach, he conducted his post-match press conference, where he responded to the reception Dalot received when he was substituted.
"We've got to be careful with that, I think," Carrick said. "I understand the frustration, I understand the disappointment of the supporters, so I get it. We're all frustrated, we're all disappointed, and the players are as much as anyone, I guarantee you that."
Carrick backs Dalot
"Diogo, he gives absolutely everything. He's played in different positions, he's played left-back, he's played really well at times. He gives a penalty away today. Maybe he can do a little bit better, all right, that's part of it, he's made a mistake, but he cares an awful lot and he's giving everything," Carrick added.
"So I like what he brings to the team, I like what he brings to the group, I like what he brings to the whole environment and the culture that we've got. Picking a team and who plays the next game, that's a whole different decision, but it's a whole different game that we've got to look forward to now."
Future plans
Carrick was tetchy when asked about his future after the draw with Villa and refused to confirm if he was planning to speak with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada. When pressed again, he said: "I'm quite clear with what direction the club needs to go in, and it's got to win games."
"I think there's more than enough [to turn things around]. Goals change games and you've got to deal with it, and it's part of something we have to improve on drastically, but there's more than enough. We're just making it too difficult for ourselves at the moment in certain times."
"It's been a right mixed week or two or three really if you're looking at the events, but I'm pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there," he added. "Obviously, some of the boys will be flying off around the world and different things, and the group will be split for 10 days or so, but as a normal international week is, we'll have some training, we'll have one or two days off, not too much, but we'll train and we'll get ready for the next game."
