Michael Carrick responds to job speculation as injury-hit Man Utd arrive in Como
Carrick’s side have failed to win any of their last six matches.
Michael Carrick says he feels backed by the Manchester United board as the under-fire head coach leads his depleted side to Como looking for a much-needed victory in the Champions League.
The former midfielder has overseen the Red Devils’ worst start to a league campaign in 40 years, and just two wins from their 10 matches in all competitions this term, as questions over his role rumble on.
United have failed to win in six straight matches ahead of taking on Cesc Fabregas’ Como, where former boss Erik ten Hag’s comments dominated the build-up to Wednesday’s Champions League encounter.
The Dutchman accused the club of broken promises in a wide-ranging interview with the Athletic two years on from his sacking, but Carrick claims not to have any concerns about his position.
“I don’t need any reassurance,” the United head coach said. “It’s pretty clear.
“I know the role, I know my responsibilities. I don’t need anyone else to tell me that or tell me when it’s going well or when it needs to be better. I know that myself.
“I know the realities and I’ve got no problem with that. It’s pretty clear. There’s not much I can really elaborate on that.
“I know we’ve got to win football games for everything to flow and everything to fit into place. That’s the great thing about it. We can do something about it.”
Asked if he feels backed, the United boss said: “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?
“I’m in this position, I have a good relationship – a really good relationship with everybody at the football club.
“There’s really no issues and no problems with any of that side. We’ve got to win games of football and that’s what we’re striving to do.”
United have not tasted victory since beating Sabah 4-0 in September’s Champions League opener and Carrick’s hopes of ending that wait at ever-improving Como are hindered by absentees.
Eight players are out through injury or illness, while Leny Yoro is suspended after last week’s sending off in the 2-0 loss at Atletico Madrid.
“Bit of a mixed bag, to be honest,” Carrick said. “We have quite a few who are missing.
“Licha (Lisandro Martinez) is not too bad, but he is not with us. We will have to see if he’s ready for the weekend (against Bournemouth) or not.
“Kobbie (Mainoo) we’re probably maybe looking at another 10 days or so but not exact. Luke (Shaw) a little bit longer than that.
“Ayden (Heaven) is ill and Marcus (Rashford) is still feeling a little bit of a hip issue that we are trying to overcome. Hopefully that’ll be soon as well.”
Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte are others unavailable through injury for United, who were met by unrelenting rain upon landing in Italy on Tuesday evening.
More than 6cm of rain is forecast in the 24 hours before kick-off in Como, where an orange rain warning of “severe weather” has been issued by the Italian Air Force National Meteorological Service.
Asked if he had any concerns about the surface or even the match being impacted, United boss Carrick said: “No, nothing immediate for me. We’re kind of used to the rain, so we’ll make the most of it.”