Michael Carrick is under intense scrutiny as Manchester United prepare to host AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The pressure has mounted after the Reds lost again on Saturday, this time a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, leaving United above the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference alone.
After the game, Carrick confirmed he would be in charge on Tuesday night, but time is running out to prove he is the right man for the job. Questions surrounding his future are expected to dominate the pre-match press conference, alongside team news for the clash with the Italian side.
Team News and Availability
Kobbie Mainoo came on at the weekend and should be fit enough to start against Gian Piero Gasperini's team. Benjamin Sesko and Manuel Ugarte are definitely out, while Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford are doubts. Lisandro Martinez, who was sent off for a second bookable offence on Saturday, is available to play in midweek but will miss the clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.
Dressing Room Reaction to Defeat
Mbeumo believes there were positives to take from United's defeat to Chelsea despite the team extending their winless run to nine games. If United had taken their chances it would have been a totally different story. Amad, Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes were all guilty of missing first-half chances, and Chelsea delivered the suckerpunch in the second half as a bit of Morgan Rogers magic handed the Blues the lead.
Lisandro Martinez's challenge on Wesley Fofana saw him sent off before Cole Palmer slotted home the subsequent penalty, leaving Carrick to rue the chances his side had missed.
Carrick Insists He Will Remain in Charge
Carrick insisted on Saturday that he would be in charge of United's game vs Roma. The 2-0 loss leaves the Reds winless in nine games and with just two wins from 13 across all competitions. Carrick's side were better than Chelsea throughout the first half at Stamford Bridge, but they failed to take their chances and were made to rue their wastefulness when the home side struck twice in the second half.
The upcoming international break is also seen as a lurking threat for the United boss. If Carrick wants to be in a job heading into the festive period, he probably needs four points from this week's fixtures. Unfortunately for him, that looks unlikely.
