Michael Carrick says he cannot wait for Manchester United‘s Champions League clash with Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday, despite a run of results that many would find alarming. United have not won in nine matches in all competitions, their worst run since 1988-89.
The Old Trafford side are 17th in the Premier League. After defeats by Atletico Madrid and Como, they have slipped to 21st in the Champions League table after three games, with only the top 24 progressing. There is a growing feeling that Carrick, who signed a two-year contract in the summer, could lose his job during the forthcoming international break.
Carrick acknowledges that his enthusiasm may seem out of step with the situation. “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,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
He added: “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.”
Lively training session and Martinez question
Carrick watched an open pre-match training session at Carrington, where striker Bryan Mbeumo and midfielder Carlos Baleba were particularly vocal. Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez was also fully engaged, despite the red card he received at Chelsea, which provoked a strong negative reaction.
Although there have been calls for Martinez to be dropped for the Roma game, Carrick took a more philosophical view. “Sometimes you do things; you make a decision, you make mistakes. Sometimes it goes well for you.”
He also rejected suggestions that Martinez, or the wider squad, lacked commitment. “Perceptions are a funny thing,” he said. “They can make things look all sorts of different ways. The dressing room is a good place.
“I’ve said it before, 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 calls for a response
Kobbie Mainoo, the England midfielder, sat alongside Carrick at the media conference and also stressed the strength of the group. He returned from a four-match absence through a muscular issue, coming on as a second-half substitute at Chelsea.
At 21, Mainoo is one of the youngest players in the squad, yet he joined the club aged seven, making him the longest-serving member of the group. He understands the demands of playing for United. “I’ve been at this club for a long time and know there’s always going to be ups and downs,” he 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 believes the current position is unacceptable for a club of United’s stature. “United’s a huge club,” he said. “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.”
A club in unfamiliar territory
United were last relegated in 1973-74. They have not been in the relegation zone after nine games or more since November 1986, when they collected a single point in Sir Alex Ferguson’s first two games in charge following Ron Atkinson’s dismissal. Their lowest position after at least nine games of a season since then was 17th in 1989-90, while they were 16th under Ruben Amorim after 37 games of the 2024-25 season.
Roma, meanwhile, have lost only once this season, at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League last month, when they led 3-1 with seven minutes left. United will need to find a way to change their fortunes quickly if they are to make an impact in Europe and stop the mounting pressure on Carrick.