
âÂÂAngryâ Carrick on the brink as Fernandes hits out at Manchester United tactics
Manager apologises to fans after 4-1 defeat in Como
Captain criticises âÂÂdecision from the staffâ not to press
Michael CarrickâÂÂs future as Manchester United manager is in the balance after the clubâÂÂs humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat away against Como on Wednesday.
Before BournemouthâÂÂs visit to Old Trafford on Sunday his future may be discussed by Jason Wilcox, the director of football, Omar Berrada, the chief executive, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner who controls sporting policy.
On a torrid night, an âÂÂangryâ Carrick insisted afterwards he had not given his position any thought but was forced to defend himself against his own captain, Bruno Fernandes, who questioned the managerâÂÂs tactics of not pressing against Cesc FàbregasâÂÂs team. Carrick in turn criticised his side for not running. The defeat at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia leaves United with only two wins all season from 11 games. They are 13th in the Premier League and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup last month.
Carrick was asked if he fears for his job. âÂÂListen, IâÂÂve not given my own position any thought,â he said. âÂÂ[My thoughts are] for the supporters â I was one of them watching that and I wasnâÂÂt happy at all.âÂÂ
He was then asked if he could walk away following the latest defeat in Europe. âÂÂNo. ItâÂÂs not about me right now and my feelings in that regard. ItâÂÂs more of as a team and as a football club, what we want to look like, what we should look like. And as I said, the results can come and go at times, but you got to do it in a certain way. And that wasnâÂÂt it.âÂÂ
Seven hundred United fans travelled, but by the end only around 200 remained and Carrick went to apologise to them, noticeably ignoring his players. After United conceded Nico PazâÂÂs second-minute goal, they were unable to mount any resistance. By 57 minutes Como led 3-0, due to Tasos DouvikasâÂÂs strike and PazâÂÂs second, before Jacobo Ramón completed the scoring for the Italian side on 76 minutes. Joshua Zirkzee scored in added time for the visitors.

Fernandes openly challenged CarrickâÂÂs strategy during the match. âÂÂItâÂÂs a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence,â he said.
The captain was asked if CarrickâÂÂs tactics were wrong. âÂÂThatâÂÂs on the manager and staff to see, not me,â he said. âÂÂSometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them, the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to.âÂÂ
FernandesâÂÂs criticism was put to his manager after the match. âÂÂWe actually half-pressed man-to-man in the second half and then conceded a goal from that,â Carrick said. âÂÂWhatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you donâÂÂt run, and you donâÂÂt run forward, and you donâÂÂt run back, you ainâÂÂt going to win.âÂÂ
Carrick was asked how he can raise the mood before BournemouthâÂÂs visit. âÂÂIâÂÂm bitterly disappointed, IâÂÂm frustrated; more than frustrated, IâÂÂm really angry. But youâÂÂve got to move on,â he said. âÂÂYou got to deal with whatâÂÂs next and see what that looks like.
âÂÂAt this moment in time, thereâÂÂs a lot to do before that next game to get the team ready because that was a difficult night for everyone. I have to apologise to the supporters.âÂÂ
