The Manchester United dressing room reportedly remains fully supportive of Michael Carrick, with players determined to turn the situation around after a disappointing start to the new campaign.
There had been renewed optimism among United's fanbase following the side's resurgence at the back end of last season under Carrick, with the club finishing third in the Premier League to secure Champions League qualification.
But the doom and gloom has returned at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils having picked up only five points from their opening five top-flight matches since Carrick took over the reins on a full-time basis in the summer.
Joint-worst start
A 1-1 draw with Fulham before the international break means United have now endured their joint-worst start at this embryonic stage of the season – and Carrick's men will be looking to respond in style when they return to action at home to Tottenham on October 10.
Given Spurs sit rock-bottom after an even more desperate start, next month's Old Trafford showdown represents a golden opportunity for United to finally kick-start their campaign entering into a crucial period, with games coming thick and fast both domestically and in Europe.
Club's position on Carrick
Addressing the speculation and gossip surrounding the managerial situation at the Theatre of Dreams on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano was insistent that nothing had changed regarding Carrick's future.
'My answer is clear: as of today, Manchester United have not made any movement to contact other coaches,' Romano told his viewers. 'Manchester United are not in direct negotiation or direct conversation with coaches or their representatives so at the moment it's completely quiet and will stay quiet for the next weeks and months.
'Then, obviously, we are in a results business, in a results industry and so results are always, but Manchester United maintain their confidence in Michael Carrick as a club.'
Players backing the coach
Despite their inauspicious start, Romano is adamant that United's hierarchy 'maintain their confidence' in Carrick for the time being.
'Obviously they cannot be happy, everyone, people at the club, Carrick himself, everyone, with recent results,' he added. 'But Manchester United believe that with some time, Carlos Baleba is arriving, the midfield was completely rebuilt over the summer, so when you add three new players in key positions like midfield then you need some time to create that chemistry and so Manchester United are working on that.
'They maintain their confidence on Carrick, that's Manchester United's position on Carrick.'
He went on: 'Obviously results are needed to make sure this is going to work long-term but at the moment Manchester United maintain their confidence.
'They also believe that the players are also with the coach.
'At the club, they believe that compared to other situations that Manchester United have had in the recent past where some players were not so happy with the coach, in this case they believe the large majority of the players are absolutely backing and supporting the ideas of Michael Carrick.'
Three days after United's clash with Spurs, Bruno Fernandes and Co turn their attentions back to Champions League matters to do battle with Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital.
The Red Devils will be looking to continue their 100 per cent start in the competition after putting four unanswered goals past Azerbaijani minnows Sabah in their opening contest.
