Michael Carrick insists he’s not worrying about his job, despite labelling Manchester United’s 4-1 Champions League defeat to Italian debutants Como as “unacceptable.”
The loss at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia extended United’s winless streak to seven matches across all competitions and further intensified scrutiny on Carrick amid the club’s worst league start in forty years.
“I have not given my own position any thought,” Carrick told reporters after the game. He also noted that his apology to traveling fans—who’ve endured several grim results in recent weeks—was about appreciation, not added pressure.
The match started disastrously for United, with Nico Paz putting Como ahead inside two minutes—making United the first English side to concede in the opening two minutes of consecutive European games. Under manager Cesc Fabregas, Como surged to a 4-0 lead before Joshua Zirkzee added a late consolation for United.
Carrick was clear in his frustration:
“For us to play in that way, it’s not acceptable. It wasn’t a good performance at all… That bit of intensity, that spirit, that aggression—tonight was the total opposite. I have to say, it was tough to watch.”
He added:
“It’s difficult to understand how it can be so different (to the Leeds performance). It shouldn’t be like that… but to do it in that manner is really not right at all.”
Carrick now turns his focus to United’s next Premier League match, at home against Bournemouth:
“I’m frustrated, more than frustrated—I’m really angry. You’ve got to deal with what’s next… There’s a lot to do before the next game to get the team ready because that was a difficult night for everyone.”
Meanwhile, Fabregas called Como’s landmark win “the start of everything” for the club, urging his side to stay “calm, humble, and keep their feet on the ground” as they continue their historic European journey.
