Manchester United manager Michael Carrick says he can’t wait for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Roma at Old Trafford, even though his side go into it without a win in nine matches in all competitions. Carrick, who signed a two-year contract in the summer, accepts that his enthusiasm might sound “crazy” given the circumstances.
United are on their worst run since 1988-89, and they have not gone 10 games without a win in a single campaign since 1977-78. There is a growing feeling that Carrick could lose his job during the upcoming international break.
A bleak backdrop
United are 17th in the Premier League. After defeats by Atletico Madrid and Como, they have slipped to 21st in the Champions League table after three games, with only the top 24 teams progressing. Roma’s only defeat this season came at home to Real Madrid last month, when they led 3-1 with seven minutes left.
Rather than dwell on the difficulties, Carrick sees the match as an opportunity to change the narrative of the season.
“You might think I’m crazy with the results we’ve had and what’s going on, but genuinely, I really can’t wait for the game,” Carrick said. “I’m really looking forward to it.
“Listen, I can’t look into the future, you never know what’s going to happen. That doesn’t change the way I feel. Whatever happens is going to happen in whatever direction it goes in, but we want to make it a big night tomorrow.”
Lively training session
Carrick watched an open, energetic session of pre-match training at Carrington. Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba were particularly vocal. Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez was also fully engaged, despite the red card he received at Chelsea that triggered such a negative reaction.
Although there have been calls for Martinez to be dropped for the Roma game, Carrick took a more philosophical approach.
“Sometimes you do things; you make a decision, you make mistakes. Sometimes it goes well for you.”
He also rejected concerns about Martinez’s commitment and that of the wider squad.
“Perceptions are a funny thing,” he said. “They can make things look all sorts of different ways. The dressing room is a good place.
“I’ve said it before, I don’t question the commitment of the players, to the club and to me and to each other. We need to play better. We can make better decisions. But commitment’s not a thing at all.”
“Just need a win”
England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo sat alongside Carrick at the media conference and also stressed the strength of the group. He returned from a four-match absence with a muscular issue as a second-half substitute at Chelsea.
At 21, Mainoo is one of the youngest players in the squad. However, having joined the club at the age of seven, he is also the longest-serving player and understands the responsibilities that come with playing at Old Trafford.
“I’ve been at this club for a long time and know there’s always going to be ups and downs,” he said. “It’s never going to be plain sailing and smooth to the top. You expect bumps.
“Of course it’s been a tough season. We’ve not had the results we’ve wanted, but I feel like we’re one win away from changing that.”
Historic lows
United were last relegated in 1973-74. They have not been in the relegation zone after nine games or more since November 1986, when they collected a single point in Sir Alex Ferguson’s first two games in charge following Ron Atkinson’s dismissal. Their lowest position after at least nine games of a season since then was 17th in 1989-90, and they were 16th under Ruben Amorim after 37 games of the 2024-25 season.
Mainoo says the current position is unacceptable for a club of United’s size.
“United’s a huge club,” he said. “I think a lot of people know the values this club holds and have been passed down through the people who’ve worked here and played here.
“I feel like I take some responsibility in spreading the word of what Manchester United is, coming up through the academy, and I plan to send that message for as long as I can.”