A Manchester United player has revealed the dressing room reaction to Michael Carrick staying on as manager, saying the squad is united in wanting to improve results.
Carrick appeared close to dismissal after Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, which followed a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League. However, club officials decided to give the former midfielder more time, and he is set to lead the team for this weekend's trip to Chelsea.
Player backs manager after fan reaction
At full-time on Sunday, United fans directed their boos at the players rather than at Carrick. That sentiment appears to be shared by at least one member of the squad. BBC Sport quoted an unnamed player as saying: "The feeling is that we all want to put it right. Players, staff, everyone."
On Wednesday, Carrick held "clear-the-air talks" with captain Bruno Fernandes, who had been left out of the Bournemouth defeat. Fernandes had criticised Carrick's tactics after the loss to Como, and the manager responded by dropping the midfielder and addressing the issue through the press.
Other players voice concerns
Fernandes is not the only player to have made pointed comments to the media recently. Following a Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid earlier this month, defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club's recruitment and mentioned technical director Jason Wilcox. Unlike Fernandes, Martinez was not dropped for the next game, starting the 1-1 draw with Leeds before going off injured at half-time.
Manchester United sit 16th in the table after their worst-ever start to a Premier League season. Minority shareholder and head of football operations Sir Jim Ratcliffe is flying into the UK to watch Saturday's game at Stamford Bridge.
