Michael Carrick has admitted to feeling angry with his Manchester United players following the late defeat at Newcastle United. The interim head coach’s side lost 2-1 at St James’ Park this month, conceding a 90th-minute goal from William Osula.
That result remains United’s only loss in nine matches under Carrick, who has overseen seven wins and one draw, collecting 22 points from a possible 27. Despite his typically calm demeanour, the 44-year-old acknowledged that anger has its place in management.
“Yeah, there’s a time and a place,” Carrick said. “Obviously we’re disappointed at times and so were disappointed with the result at Newcastle, so there’s feelings there. It’s a sport, elite performance. You’ve got to play with emotion and feeling and sometimes that is a bit more aggressive, it’s a bit more intense sometimes, so you’ve got to manage that.”
Asked whether his anger was calculated rather than a loss of temper, Carrick insisted it stems from an inner drive. “No, I think it’s that drive ultimately in you. It comes out in different ways. Some players will be a little bit quieter [but] doesn’t mean they don’t care. There’s a drive, maybe there’s a stubbornness at times to want to prove to yourself as much as anything.”
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt has not featured since United’s 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace on 30 November owing to a back injury. Carrick said it remained unclear whether the defender would return this season, adding: “It’s one of those things with backs that sometimes you think it’s all right and then all of a sudden it’s not quite right. We’re just kind of being patient and working through it.”
