Carrick hopes 'hard truths' being aired can help Man United through crisis

The head coach has repeatedly claimed to be unmoved by the noise around his position

UNDER PRESSURE: Michael Carrick  earned a two-year deal having led United to third last term but there is a sense that he has been given a stay of execution having won just two of 12 matches this season. Picture: Thomas Ash/PA

Michael Carrick says challenging conversations and hard truths have been necessary as misfiring Manchester United attempt to end their worst winless run since 2015.

Boos echoed around Old Trafford last Sunday after the Red Devils crumbled in a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth that saw fans focus their fury on the club’s ownership, hierarchy, and players.

Carrick avoided such wrath as the United faithful acknowledged that their issues run far deeper than the popular former midfielder despite him overseeing an eighth successive match without a win.

The 45-year-old, to the shock of many onlookers, will have the chance to turn the situation around at Chelsea on Saturday following a week that has required honesty and introspection.

Carrick, who claimed he was not surprised to still be in charge and did not need assurances from above, said: “It's not always rosy and nice conversations between anyone.

“Whether that's between me and the players, whether that's between me, Jason [Wilcox, director of football], Omar [Berrada, chief executive] or the owners.

“It's the truth, it's the hard truth at times, and it's what we need to move forward. Whatever we need to move forward, we'll do.” 

Carrick earned a two-year deal having led United to third last term but there is a sense that he has been given a stay of execution having won just two of 12 matches this season.

Carrick has repeatedly claimed to be unmoved by the noise around his position, but United’s players have been clearly impacted by the downturn and many seemed shocked by Sunday’s fan backlash.

“It was mixed feelings, I'll be totally honest,” the manager said. “To have the appreciation from the supporters and that connection and that respect is something I feel strongly about.

“It wasn't a nice situation but to feel that was important, of course, but it didn't make me feel better in the fact that I'm with the players 100%.

“We're all in it together and I've told the players that. I'm happy to say that. I didn't feel comfortable being in any way shape or form a separation from that.

“That's my group, they're my players and this is my football club, so we have to all be in it together.

“That's the supporters included. As hard as it is at the moment, I totally get that, I get their feelings but when we get through this, we'll be a lot stronger as a whole.” 

Carrick says he not experienced any of the unprofessionalism that former United captain Gary Neville claimed he had seen and feels a result at Chelsea would swing the mood completely.

“The challenge is keeping that belief deep within you, to know it's there and it's possible,” he added. “That's exactly where we're at now.

“We need something to flip for everyone, to change the feeling and get the confidence from us, definitely in the team and definitely from the supporters and that belief again.

“It's never far away. As far away as it seems, it's never that far away.”

For his part, Xabi Alonso says there was never any possibility of Cole Palmer leaving Chelsea last summer following reports linking him to United.

The England forward’s future at Stamford Bridge looked to be in doubt for much of the second half of last season after it was suggested in January that he wanted to return to his hometown in order to join United, later saying in an interview in April that he had "no plans" to leave.

It came during a campaign which was badly impacted by injury, the first time in the 24-year-old’s career that he had spent significant time unable to play.

He made 34 appearances in all competitions, down from 52 games in the previous season, but even when he was in the team it was clear that he was struggling for fitness and for form.

Those troubles now appear largely to be behind him. He signed a new contract earlier in October on improved financial terms, tying him to the club until 2034, after making a strong start to the new season, scoring four times in 10 games and striking up a productive partnership with new signing and long-time friend Morgan Rogers.

Alonso, whose appointment was confirmed in May, said the possibility of Palmer’s departure was never raised.

"There were no talks about him leaving and he was always part of the plans," said Alonso. "There were no discussions about him not being here."