"I'm not entitled to be here": Michael Carrick's five-minute monologue as Manchester United pressure peaks
Before a single question was asked, Michael Carrick spoke for five and a half minutes about responsibility, respect and the values of Manchester United. Reports say Sunday's game against Bournemouth could decide his future.
Michael Carrick walked into his Friday press conference and, before taking a question, delivered an unprompted opening statement that lasted five minutes and 27 seconds. It was the clearest sign yet of how serious the situation at Old Trafford has become.
Why the pressure is so high
- United were thrashed 4-1 at Como, Champions League newcomers, on Wednesday — see our report on the Como defeat.
- They have won only two of their last 11 games in all competitions and are without a win in seven.
- They are 13th in the Premier League with seven points from seven games, and are already out of the Carabao Cup.
- After the Como game, captain Bruno Fernandes reportedly questioned the team's tactics, and earlier this month Lisandro Martínez publicly criticised the club's hierarchy, later saying he had spoken out of anger.
What Carrick said
Carrick insisted he was "100 per cent" able to turn things around and said his job was to take the pressure so that "everyone else" stays dry, comparing himself to someone holding an umbrella.
On the club's standards, he was blunt: "I'm not entitled to be here. Entitlement cannot be at this football club." He said the players must "respect what it takes to win".
He name-checked the club's greatest figures — Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby, Sir Bobby Charlton, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs — to make a point about the club coming first: "It was never about Ryan Giggs, it was about Manchester United."
On reports of a split in the dressing room: "It's not divided." On talks with the board and players: "There's always conversations going on." And on his role: "The responsibility for me to be in this position is to lead."
He finished with a promise: "We will get it back."
Bruno Fernandes and the captaincy
Carrick did not rule out dropping Fernandes or taking the armband from him after the captain's reported comments in Italy. "I'll always do what's best for the football club," he said.
Is Carrick's job on the line?
Reports differ, and none of the following has been confirmed by the club:
- The Touchline reported that Carrick could be sacked if United fail to beat Bournemouth, and that the club have started identifying replacements.
- TEAMtalk reported that director of football Jason Wilcox is backing Carrick and that no immediate change is planned, though the next four games are seen as important.
- Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann have all been linked with the job in reports.
The Bournemouth test
United host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday 25 October. It is not an easy game: Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last five meetings with United and arrive after beating AC Milan 3-0. United, meanwhile, have not kept a clean sheet in the league all season. Our full Manchester United v Bournemouth preview has the team news and numbers.
See the Premier League table.
FAQ
What did Michael Carrick say in his press conference? In a five-and-a-half-minute opening statement he said he was "100 per cent" able to turn United around, that "entitlement cannot be at this football club" and that "we will get it back".
Will Manchester United sack Michael Carrick? The club have not said so. One report claims defeat to Bournemouth could cost him his job; another says he has the backing of director of football Jason Wilcox.
Where are Manchester United in the table? 13th, with seven points from seven Premier League games.
