Michael Carrick spoke to the media for the first time since Manchester United held crunch talks over the head coach position.

It looked like he was on the brink at the beginning of the week. Executive meetings took place before the board decided to give Michael Carrick more time to turn results around.

The microscope will be on Carrick for the next three matches: against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa. And the international break after that period will be dominated by managerial speculation at Old Trafford if United’s poor form continues as expected.

Carrick broke his silence on what was a pretty speculative week at Old Trafford. He seems more focused on winning football matches than seeking assurances from those above him in the hierarchy.

Michael Carrick reacts to keeping his Man Utd job

For now, Carrick is United’s head coach. We all know that patience will run out if this form continues.

Still, Carrick stressed that he does not need assurances about his future, but admitted disappointment at the recent 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. He told reporters on Thursday afternoon: “I don’t need any assurances from anyone; I get the position and understand the responsibility and what comes with that. I don’t need any assurances from anyone.”

Defiant in his ability as a coach, albeit in the biggest job in football, Carrick stressed that he was not surprised that he was still in the job when many members of the press had already written him off as sacked on Monday morning, adding: “No, no, I’m here to do my job, and I’m desperate to improve things. I’m not surprised, no.”

When asked about the outside noise surrounding United and his job, Carrick stated that he only cares about what the supporters think. “I don’t see it really; I see the things I need to see. I don’t look for it because it doesn’t help. I care about what the supporters think, what we give them and offer them, and what they see. I know what we need to do to be better – I don’t need anyone else to tell me.”

The standards have significantly dropped from Carrick’s interim reign last term. He needs to get the team back to those levels soon or else patience will run out at board level.

Carrick knows that the only way to turn things around is by winning football matches, although a point at Stamford Bridge wouldn’t be the worst result. There is still plenty of reason to believe Chelsea can be got at with their weak defence.