flag
back Back
Man United’s Carrick not worried about his job despite ‘unacceptable’ loss

‘I have not given my own position any thought’, Carrick said after United’s 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League.

Manchester United's English coach Michael Carrick
Manchester United's manager Michael Carrick faces increasing pressure amid a poor start to the season [File: Piero Cruciatti/AFP]

Michael Carrick has admitted that Manchester United were difficult to watch during an “unacceptable” 4-1 Champions League thrashing by Como, but insists he is not concerned about losing his job as manager.

The three-time European champions were outclassed by the Italian debutants at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Wednesday, as the embarrassing defeat extended their winless run to seven matches in all competitions.

Carrick’s position has come under scrutiny amid United’s slump, which has included their worst start to a league season for 40 years, but he told a news conference that he was not fearing for his position.

“I have not given my own position any thought,” Carrick said.

The Old Trafford boss insisted that his apology to the travelling fans at the end of the game held no extra significance as pressure builds on his position.

“I always go over to the fans regardless,” Carrick said.

“It wasn’t a particularly different reason why I went over. I think it’s the appreciation and acknowledgement of what they have gone through and what they have done over a period of a few weeks now. But particularly tonight.”

Manchester United's English coach Michael Carrick reacts after losing the UEFA Champions League, league phase matchday 3, football match between Como 1907 and Manchester United at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Como, northen Italy on October 21, 2026. (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI / AFP)
Carrick walked up to Manchester United’s travelling fans to applaud them after the match [Piero Cruciatti/AFP]

‘It was tough to watch’

United fell behind within two minutes to a Nico Paz goal, becoming the first English team ever to concede in the opening two minutes of two consecutive major European matches, having gone behind one minute into a 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid last week.

Cesc Fabregas’s side romped into a deserved 4-0 lead in northern Italy before substitute Joshua Zirkzee pulled back a stoppage-time consolation and Carrick admitted he was alarmed by the manner in which his team were outplayed.

“For us to play in that way, it’s not acceptable,” he said. “It wasn’t a good performance at all. We wanted to build on what we brought and the performance we had at Leeds.

“That bit of intensity, that spirit, that aggression, that real willingness to give everything. Tonight was the total opposite performance. I have to say, it was tough to watch.”

“There’s a lot going through my mind, watching that,” he continued. “Genuinely, it’s difficult to understand how it can be so different [from the Leeds performance].

“It shouldn’t be like that. We can all play well, we can all have poor performances, but to do it in that manner is really not right at all.”

Next up for Carrick’s side is a home Premier League game against Bournemouth on Sunday.

“I’m frustrated, more than frustrated, I’m really angry, to be honest,” Carrick said.

“You’ve got to move on, you’ve got to deal with what’s next and see what that looks like. At this moment in time, there’s a lot to do before that next game to get the team ready because that was a difficult night for everyone tonight.”

Manchester United's Ivorian midfielder #16 Amad Diallo (L) and Manchester United's Dutch forward #11 Joshua Zirkzee react after losing the UEFA Champions League, league phase matchday 3, football match between Como 1907 and Manchester United at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Como, northen Italy on October 21, 2026. (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI / AFP)
Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee react after the loss [Piero Cruciatti/AFP]

You may like

£110.5m Carrick mistake ‘staggering’ as Man Utd warned against LaLiga raid

teamtalk.com 21 hours ago

Jamie Carragher rips into 'shocking' Man Utd with brutal verdict - 'It never ends'

liverpool.com 10 hours ago

‘Create Havoc’ - Roy Keane Named the Manager He Wants at Man Utd as Carrick Faces Sack

givemesport.com 8 hours ago

Man Utd legends fume as two players come under fire after embarrassing Como loss

express.co.uk 10 hours ago

Man Utd Icon Names Manager he 'Can't Believe' Hasn't Been Given Old Trafford Job

givemesport.com 10 hours ago