Michael Carrick is unsure what the future holds after his Manchester United side slumped to a big defeat to Bournemouth, though he admits he is not planning a farewell at a time when "it hurts an awful lot to see us going through this".

United's struggles were compounded on Sunday when they turned out a dreadful performance at Old Trafford, resulting in a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Bournemouth. 

Rayan opened the scoring in the 38th minute, before Leny Yoro's untimely slip allowed Marcus Tavernier to slot home the Cherries' second five minutes later.

Senne Lammens was then caught off his line in the second half when he misjudged a long pass, with Evanilson adding the finishing touches in the 71st minute with a stunning finish from the right wing.

The defeat comes at a difficult time for United, who have now gone eight games without a victory in all competitions (D3 L5) for the first time since November/December 2015. 

This dire run of results, including a 4-1 Champions League loss to Como in midweek, has increased the pressure on Carrick, leaving the United boss with mixed emotions. 

"Tough day for us – we went into the game being rocked a bit, and you could feel that on the pitch," Carrick told Sky Sports.  

"They kept going, and they're disappointed; they're hurt. The players are feeling it. It's not a nice feeling when you see the disappointment.  

"It is what it is. You have to accept it, and that's the situation we're in at the moment. 

"It's difficult for me to have a day like this at this club and feel the emotion – the dynamic of what it was like. Not for me personally but for Man Utd. It was really mixed.  

"I feel a lot of responsibility; I've been at the club a long time. It hurts an awful lot to see us going through this at this moment in time." 

Michael appreciated the support of Old Trafford today 

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 25, 2026

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, no Premier League side has lost more home games by a margin of three or more goals in all competitions than United's seven. 

When asked whether his lap around the pitch at full-time was a farewell, Carrick insisted it was not: "It wasn't a farewell from me," he continued.  

"I'm mixed emotions; I'm feeling it for my players, they're going through a tough spell.  

"Some of it we can help [with], some of it, the situation unravels, and the boys are feeling it at the moment. Mixed emotions for the supporters to respond in that way. 

"To have that connection with the supporters, it's mixed emotions; it'll take a bit of time to digest, but I certainly appreciate their support.  

"The situation is where we are, and we haven't had results or performances that have been good enough. 

"It's a tough situation; there's no hiding from it. What it looks like and what's next, I really don't know. I will always do my best for the football club, and I won't change that now.  

"I love what I do, and I feel the responsibility. We'll just have to wait and see."

United have won just seven points from eight Premier League games this season (W1 D4 L3), their lowest at this stage of a league season since 1986-87 (four).

It was also their heaviest home defeat in the competition since losing to Bournemouth 3-0 in December 2024.