
Carrick delivers 5min 27sec monologue and says he will hold brolly to keep everyone dry
Manchester United coach wants âÂÂhumilityâ and âÂÂresilienceâÂÂ
He does not rule out stripping Fernandes of captaincy
Michael Carrick began his Friday media conference with an extraordinary 5min 27sec monologue that cited Manchester UnitedâÂÂs values of âÂÂhumilityâÂÂ, âÂÂresilienceâ and âÂÂearning the right to winâ in what could be read as a public address to his players after the seasonâÂÂs dismal start.
The head coach, whose job is under threat, later stated âÂÂ100%â he could turn UnitedâÂÂs form around and sought to underline his selfless attitude by saying he would hold an umbrella for âÂÂeveryone else to stay dryâ while he got wet.
The downpour on Carrick intensified on Wednesday when Bruno Fernandes questioned his tactics after a 4-1 Champions League loss at Como and the 45-year-old did not rule out dropping the midfielder or stripping him of the captaincy when Bournemouth visit on Sunday. âÂÂIâÂÂll always do whatâÂÂs best for the football club,â he said. âÂÂThe most important thing for me is the team, first and foremost â the squad, the dynamics in the squad.âÂÂ
Carrick decided to make his speech, delivered without being asked a question, after events in Como and Lisandro MartÃÂnezâÂÂs criticism of Jason Wilcox a week earlier for the director of footballâÂÂs recruitment.
United have won only two of 11 games and are 13th in the Premier League. Carrick said: âÂÂWe need to respect what it takes to be here, respect what it takes to win, what you have to do to win. IâÂÂm not entitled to be here. Entitlement cannot be at this football club. WeâÂÂre not entitled to win. WeâÂÂve won in the past, weâÂÂve got an incredible history, but that doesnâÂÂt mean that youâÂÂre entitled to just win.âÂÂ
Carrick, a highly decorated United player for 12 years until 2018, cited two of his former teammates. âÂÂRyan Giggs, arguably one of the greatest to play for this club, it was never about Ryan Giggs, it was about Manchester United. Wayne Rooney was top goalscorer of this football club. His biggest thing was playing for the team, sacrificing for the team, and what was good for Manchester United.
âÂÂSir Alex Ferguson, the best manager of all time, the greatest for me ⦠his main priority was Manchester United. Going back to Sir Matt [Busby], Sir Bobby [Charlton], the resilience was beyond belief of what they showed and the way they rebuilt this football club [after the Munich disaster of 1958].âÂÂ
Carrick insisted he could embody these values and transform UnitedâÂÂs campaign. âÂÂOne hundred per cent, yeah,â he said, before confirming he had spoken to the hierarchy and players about the crisis.
âÂÂThereâÂÂs always conversations going on. ItâÂÂs pretty obvious how weâÂÂre all feeling. The responsibility for me to be in this position is to lead.âÂÂ
Warming to his theme, he said: âÂÂIâÂÂll hold that umbrella for me to get wet and for everyone else to stay dry. ThatâÂÂs the position IâÂÂm in, and itâÂÂs a privileged position.âÂÂ
Carrick believes all of his squad share his determination â âÂÂIf you donâÂÂt, this is not the place for you,â he said â insisted there were no factions. âÂÂItâÂÂs not divided. We just need to get back to doing what we do best, and we will.âÂÂ
