Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has revealed that he loves being under pressure because that is when he finds out who at the club really wants to fight for Manchester United.
The 45-year-old has struggled this season, managing just one win in six league games, the club’s worst start to a campaign in 40 years. On two occasions in the league, Manchester United had opponents reduced to 10 men after their players were sent off, but the Red Devils were unable to win either match. They lost to rivals Manchester City, whose player Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute, and drew against Tottenham Hotspur, who also had a player sent off in the second half.
Ahead of their Tuesday Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid, Carrick said:
“I love this part, of sometimes when it’s not quite going for you, you see who’s really there, you see within the group, the players, the squad, the club, who’s really there and who wants to be here for the long term,” he said at a pre-match press conference on Monday.
“[You see who is] really attached to it and [who it] really means something [to].
“The supporters are there, they’re desperate for it, and we’ve got to give them something. I think you’ve got to embrace the challenges to get to where you want to be. We’re right there now in the middle of it, but totally believe that we’ll work through it.”
Carrick admitted that Manchester United’s early-season performances fell below expectations, with their disappointing run also seeing them knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion.
“Of course we hoped for a lot more, we’ve expected a lot more. But I was well aware of the chances of going in that direction. Winning as many games as we had, there was going to be a period when it was going to become a little bit more challenging and a little bit sticky.”
Michael Carrick, who was appointed head coach last season, has struggled to replicate his form from the previous campaign. When he took over, the Red Devils were in seventh place, but by the end of the season, he had guided the club to third place, returning them to the biggest stage in European football.
So far this season, the club are currently 13th in the Premier League table, with one victory, three draws and one defeat.
