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Michael Carrick has called into question the dedication of his Manchester United players following a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Como in the Champions League. The head coach also fired back at Bruno Fernandes's criticism of his tactical approach, insisting the loss was attributable to a lack of effort from his players rather than to his pressing instructions. In a remarkable post-match press conference following the drubbing in Como, a visibly furious Carrick issued another apology for the performance, declaring he "didn't like" what he witnessed from his squad.
United found themselves 1-0 down at half-time, prompting Carrick to introduce two substitutes simultaneously, yet the changes proved futile as his side capitulated after the break, with Joshua Zirkzee netting a late consolation.
Carrick made his way to the away end to personally apologise to supporters before turning his fire on his own players.
"We might win, we might lose, but the way we went about it tonight, I wouldn't say everyone, but the way we went about it in some ways tonight wasn't acceptable. And I just wanted to let the fans know that I feel for them, for sure," he said.
"It wasn't just the goals, if I'm totally honest. It was the manner and the way we played at times, in the way we went about it, that was the difficult thing to watch for me."
Fernandes had publicly challenged the tactics employed by Carrick and his coaching staff during a post-match television interview, though Carrick was in no mood to take the criticism lying down, firing back with his own assessment of why his side had struggled.
"We actually half-pressed man-to-man the second half and then conceded a goal from that," said Carrick. "And there's a little bit on whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don't run, and you don't run forward, and you don't run back, you ain't going to win."
Having cast doubt over his players' work rate, Carrick was pressed on whether the squad were still committed to playing for him.
"It's not about playing for me, it's about playing for this football club," he said. "It's the responsibility that comes with being in the position; I'm responsible for the football club and the supporters. I'm giving my best, absolute best all the time, I care about it. My whole life's wrapped around it. I genuinely give everything that I possibly can."
When pushed further on whether his players could say the same, Carrick responded: "I'd like to think so. I didn't like what I saw tonight, though."
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