Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens insists the dressing room remains behind under-fire manager Michael Carrick, despite Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes voicing concerns in recent weeks. United have secured just two victories from their 11 fixtures across all competitions since their Champions League return.
Pressure Mounts on Carrick
The scrutiny on Carrick has intensified following public criticism from two of his star players after losses to Atletico Madrid and a 4-1 defeat at Como. Martinez aimed his criticism at United director of football Jason Wilcox, suggesting the club failed to provide sufficient backing in the summer transfer market to support Carrick, leaving the squad stretched for their European fixtures. Meanwhile, Fernandes took aim at Carrick's tactics.
Lammens Backs the Coach
Speaking to Sky Sports, Lammens said: "For me personally, I think it [the dressing room] is [behind Carrick]. Of course, the people at home can't see that, so we need to also try to look like that when we are on the pitch in the weekend, but I can assure you that we're doing everything we can and we're all together behind the coach, as a staff, players, front office."
He added: "Everyone knows, of course, they have to do better, but I think we are united and we are trying to get better as a team and together."
Fernandes Criticises Tactics
Fernandes voiced his concern at Carrick and his backroom team following the defeat against Como, telling TNT Sports: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, but sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confidence." When pressed on whether he believed the manager had got his tactics wrong, Fernandes said: "That's on the manager and staff to see it, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable."
Carrick was questioned over whether he would strip Fernandes of the captaincy in the wake of the Como defeat, but remained tight-lipped and insisted he would do whatever he deemed right for the football club.
