Michael Carrick promised a different performance from his team. They let him down, again.

Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat against Como in midweek was embarrassingly poor. Head coach Michael Carrick knew something had to change.

He began his press conference ahead of the Bournemouth game with a six-minute monologue on what it means to represent the club. If it was designed to inspire his players, it didn’t work.

Speaking ahead of the game, Michael Carrick pledged: “We will be very different team against Bournemouth.

“I definitely trust my players, 100% sure. We have to be a different team on Sunday”.

There was a different team in terms of personnel, with club captain Bruno Fernandes dropped to the bench. The Portuguese captain was snubbed completely, with four substitutes used. Fernandes was not one of them.

But the result was another major disappointment, more of the same. United lost 3-0 at home.

It was the club’s worst defeat in the Premier League this season.

It feels like it’s never going to get better

This match at home to Bournemouth was the latest ‘get right game’ Manchester United had failed to win.

Recent draws to struggling Fulham and Tottenham had both looked in advance like games we should have won.

The last time United won a Premier League game was at home to Ipswich Town in August. Next up is an away game to Chelsea before facing in-form Aston Villa.

There are no easy games ahead. United need to dig in, and pray for a miracle.