Under-pressure Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said Thursday he was “here to do my job” as he insisted he needed “no assurances” over his future at Old Trafford.
Carrick also stated he was unsurprised to still be in charge following a woeful run of results and offered his backing to club captain Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder was left on the bench for last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth following earlier criticism of tactics in a 4-1 loss against Como.
Carrick’s position has faced intense scrutiny after a miserable streak of eight matches without a win. Sunday’s humbling loss at home to Bournemouth left the club just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
Manchester United have won only two of 12 matches across all competitions this season, with a tally of seven points from eight league fixtures representing their worst start to a campaign in 40 years.
Despite the slump, Carrick remains at the helm and sounded a defiant note ahead of Saturday’s fixture away to Chelsea. Asked if he was surprised to remain in his post, he told reporters:
“No. I’m here to do my job. I’m here to do the best for the team. I’m desperate to make things better and improve things. I’m not surprised, no.”
Carrick was equally adamant that he did not require public backing from the United hierarchy.
“I don’t need assurances from anyone,” he added. “I totally get the position, I get the job, the responsibility, I get what comes with that.”
Addressing Fernandes’s role, Carrick clarified that benching him against Bournemouth was purely a tactical decision for the match.
“That’s it. Bruno is fully committed to this football club. I’ve got no issues with that, we move forward. We’re looking forward to the game at the weekend now.”
Carrick continues to retain support from sections of the Old Trafford crowd, receiving warm applause from fans as he walked down the tunnel after the Bournemouth defeat.
However, a chorus of boos erupted moments later as the players departed the pitch, reflecting growing supporter dissatisfaction with squad performances.
Former United captain Gary Neville noted earlier Thursday that “sometimes a manager needs sacking for their own good,” but Carrick insisted he has no intention of stepping down.
“I genuinely don’t take any notice of anything else. I know this job and I know what we need to be better. I don’t need anyone else to tell me… I’ve said it before, I care about what the supporters think… I care about what we give them and what they see.”
He further insisted that his squad shares his determination to turn the season around.
“The boys are hungry,” he said. “We’re hurting because we haven’t won enough football games. But there is an intensity, an edge, a hunger to do better.”
