Carrick remains determined

1. United staged an extraordinary recovery at Old Trafford on Sunday, fighting back from a two-goal deficit on two occasions in a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.
2. Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu struck in added time to secure the draw, earning a valuable point and potentially easing immediate pressure on Carrick before the two-week international window.
3. Despite that late rescue, other weekend results pushed United into the bottom three for the first time after August in four decades.

“We haven’t won enough matches, but I expect to keep progressing and continue working on what we have been trying to improve,” Carrick said. “There were plenty of positive aspects to the performance today. We need to cut out a few errors and start winning games.”

The United manager acknowledged the seriousness of the club’s current position but insisted it is not beyond repair.

“It is November,” Carrick said. “I don’t like where we are and I don’t like the results we have had, but we can certainly change it.”

The former Manchester United midfielder rejected the idea that he could step down for the benefit of the club. He also said he would not approach the club’s hierarchy for clarification over his own future.

“That will not happen,” Carrick said when asked whether he might resign.

“I am very clear about the path the club has to take, and we simply have to win matches.”

The 45-year-old said the international break would be used to prepare the squad for its next challenge, with training planned alongside limited time off.

“I have a clear idea of where we have to get to and how we need to do it,” he said. “Like a normal international break, we will train, have a day or two away from it — not too much — then train again and prepare for the next match.”

United return to Premier League action away to rivals Liverpool on November 22.