Michael Carrick has insisted he is '100 per cent' certain he can guide Manchester United back to winning ways despite mounting pressure over his future as head coach.
The Red Devils are in crisis after Wednesday night's damaging defeat by Como extended their winless run to seven matches. Carrick appeared to be on the brink of losing his job as the squad returned from Italy, but it has been all but confirmed he will remain in the dugout for Sunday's visit of Bournemouth to Old Trafford.
Carrick defiant in press conference
Facing the press on Friday afternoon, Carrick was in a defiant mood, insisting he considers himself the right man for the role. Asked directly whether that was the case, he responded: "100 per cent. Yes."
He revealed he had held frank conversations with his players in the wake of the galling loss at Como, which some have described as one of United's worst nights in European competition.
"We've spoken. There are always conversations going on," he continued. "It's pretty obvious how we're all feeling. A reaction, a reaction from me."
Responsibility and unity
Carrick accepted full responsibility for the team's performances, saying: "The responsibility for me in this position is to lead. It is my responsibility, whatever goes on the pitch and what we look like, what we feel like."
"I'll hold that umbrella for me to stay wet so everyone else can stay dry. That's the position I'm in and it's a privileged position."
He added that discussions are ongoing to get the players in the right frame of mind and well organised for Sunday's match.
Despite Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes both speaking out against the club in recent interviews, Carrick insisted his squad remained united.
What United need to improve
Asked what United are lacking to get back on track, Carrick called for 'humility and hard work'.
"It's pretty clear as day. I'm not telling you anything new, I haven't invented anything new with that," he said. "That is the make-up of any good football team. You have to earn the right to be better than your opponent. You have to do more than your opponent to win a game."
"It's as simple as that. It doesn't change, it never changes. It's what we need to do to win more games."
