Carrick says it’s ‘crazy’ but he’s looking forward to Roma game

Michael Carrick accepts it might sound “crazy” but the beleaguered Manchester United boss says he is looking forward to the Champions League showdown with Roma at Old Trafford. United go into Tuesday’s game without a win in nine matches in all competitions. It is their worst run since 1988-89. They have not gone 10 without a win in a single campaign since 1977-78 and there is a growing feeling Carrick will lose his job during the forthcoming international break.

Roma’s only defeat so far this season was at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League last month, when they led 3-1 with seven minutes left. United are 17th in the Premier League and after defeats by Atletico Madrid and Como have slumped to 21st in the Champions League table after three games, with only the top 24 making it through. It is a bleak backdrop, but rather than fret over what lies ahead, Carrick is viewing it as a chance to change the narrative of the season.

“You might think I’m crazy with the results we’ve had and what’s going on, but genuinely, I really can’t wait for the game,” said Carrick. “I’m really looking forward to it. “Listen, I can’t look into the future, you never know what’s going to happen. That doesn’t change the way I feel. Whatever happens is going to happen in whatever direction it goes in, but we want to make it a big night tomorrow.” Carrick watched over a lively open session of pre-match training at Carrington.

Striker Bryan Mbeumo and midfielder Carlos Baleba were particularly vocal, with Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez also fully engaged despite his red card at Chelsea, which triggered such a negative reaction. While there have been calls for Martinez to be dropped for the Roma game, Carrick was more philosophical. “Things happen in football,” he said.

“Sometimes you do things; you make a decision, you make mistakes. Sometimes it goes well for you.” He also dismissed concerns both about Martinez’s commitment, and that of his entire squad. “Perceptions are a funny thing,” he said. “They can make things look all sorts of different ways. The dressing room is a good place. “I’ve said it before, I don’t question the commitment of the players, to the club and to me and to each other.

We need to play better. We can make better decisions. But commitment’s not a thing at all.” Just need a win – Mainoo England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo sat alongside Carrick at the media conference and also stressed the strength of the group. Mainoo returned from a four-match absence with a muscular issue as a second-half substitute at Chelsea. At 21, Mainoo is one of the youngest players in Carrick’s squad.

However, given he joined the club as a seven-year-old, he is also the longest serving and has a unique insight into the responsibilities that come with life in the Old Trafford spotlight. “I’ve been at this club for a long time and know there’s always going to be ups and downs,” he said. “It’s never going to be plain sailing and smooth to the top. You expect bumps.

“Of course it’s been a tough season. We’ve not had the results we’ve wanted, but I feel like we’re one win away from changing that.” United were last relegated in 1973-74. They have not been in the relegation zone after nine games or more since November 1986, when they collected a single point in Sir Alex Ferguson’s first two games in charge following Ron Atkinson’s dismissal.

Their lowest position after at least nine games of a season since then was 17th in 1989-90. They were 16th under Ruben Amorim after 37 games of the 2024-25 season. Mainoo says the present position is unacceptable for a club of United’s size. “United’s a huge club,” he said. “I think a lot of people know the values this club holds and have been passed down through the people who’ve worked here and played here.

“I feel like I take some responsibility in spreading the word of what Manchester United is, coming up through the academy, and I plan to send that message for as long as I can.”