Under-pressure Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick admits it might sound “crazy” given his team’s recent slump, but he remains eagerly focused on Tuesday’s Champions League encounter against Roma at Old Trafford. United enter the fixture amidst a dismal winless streak spanning nine matches across all competitions—their worst run of form since the 1988-89 campaign.
Failure to secure a victory on Tuesday would leave United winless in 10 consecutive games within a single season for the first time since 1977-78. Speculation continues to grow that Carrick could face dismissal during the upcoming international break if performance levels fail to improve immediately.
Addressing the press alongside midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Carrick acknowledged the grim context but refused to dwell on his uncertain future. “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,” Carrick remarked. “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.” But rather than fret over what lies ahead, Carrick is viewing it as a chance to change the narrative of the season, it is a bleak backdrop. England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo sat alongside Carrick at the media conference and also stressed the strength of the group.
United’s European campaign has faltered significantly following defeats to Atletico Madrid and Como, leaving them 21st in the Champions League standings after three matches, with only the top 24 teams progressing. Domestically, the club sits 17th in the Premier League. Historically, United were last relegated in 1973-74 and have not spent time in the top-flight relegation zone after nine or more matches since November 1986—when Sir Alex Ferguson took charge following Ron Atkinson’s departure, managing just one point from his opening two fixtures. Their lowest position after nine-plus games since that era was 17th in 1989-90, while they occupied 16th place under Ruben Amorim after 37 matches in 2024-25.
Tuesday’s opponents, Roma, present a daunting challenge. The Italian side’s sole defeat this season came at home against Real Madrid in the Champions League last month, a match where Roma held a 3-1 lead with seven minutes remaining.
Despite the high stakes, Carrick oversaw a spirited pre-match training session at Carrington. Striker Bryan Mbeumo and midfielder Carlos Baleba took vocal leadership roles during the session, while defender Lisandro Martinez was fully engaged despite facing intense criticism after receiving a red card against Chelsea.
Carrick defended Martinez against calls for the Argentine defender to be benched for the Roma clash. “Things happen in football,” Carrick said. “Sometimes you do things; you make a decision, you make mistakes. Sometimes it goes well for you.” He also firmly rejected doubts surrounding the squad’s commitment. “Perceptions are a funny thing. The dressing room is a good place. 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.”
Mainoo, who recently returned from a four-match absence due to a muscular injury as a second-half substitute against Chelsea, also defended the squad’s togetherness. At 21 years old, Mainoo has scored eight goals in 110 appearances for the club. Having joined United at seven years old, he is the longest-serving player in Carrick’s squad.
“I’ve been at this club for a long time and know there’s always going to be ups and downs,” Mainoo 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.”
Mainoo emphasized that the club’s current standing remains unacceptable. “United’s a huge club,” he added. “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.”
