Michael Carrick has issued a heartfelt apology to Manchester United supporters after the defeat to Como. In his post-match press conference, the United boss admitted the performance was “totally the opposite” of what he wanted to see after the draw at Leeds.
The Carrick apology centred on a lack of “intensity”, “aggression” and “real willingness to give everything”. He said the manner of the display was particularly difficult to watch.
United will look to respond at Old Trafford on Sunday, when Bournemouth visit.
Carrick Apologises to the Supporters
Carrick began by speaking directly to the fans. He went over to them at the end of the game and said he owed them an apology.
“First of all, I have to apologise to the supporters. I went over at the end. I care about this football club as much as anyone, if not more. I know the position that I’m in, that I value this football club. For us to play in that way, it’s not acceptable. It wasn’t a good performance at all. We wanted to build on what we brought to Leeds and the performance that we had at Leeds. That bit of intensity, that aggression, that real willingness to give everything tonight was totally the opposite of the performance. I have to say it was tough to watch.”
A Display He Struggled to Explain
Asked how the team could look so different in a matter of days, Carrick admitted he found it hard to understand.
“There’s a lot coming from my mind, watching that. Genuinely, it’s difficult to understand how it can be so different. It shouldn’t be like that, we can all play well, we can all have poor performances, but to do it in that manner is really not right at all.”
Why He Went Over to the Fans
Some compared the moment to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acknowledging supporters at Watford. Carrick was asked whether the same outcome could follow. He said going to the fans was nothing unusual.
“I always go to the fans anyway regarding this. It wasn’t a particularly different kind of reason why I went over. I think it’s the appreciation and the acknowledgement of what they’ve gone through, and they have done over a few weeks now, but particularly tonight. I think as I said I was one of them, I’m feeling the same as them, for them to make the effort and spend the money and come and hope for something.
We’ve got a lot of values in this football club and what we represent and how we want to go about it. We might win, we might lose, but the way we went about it tonight, I wouldn’t say everyone but the way we went about it in some ways tonight was unacceptable, and I have got to let the fans know that. I feel for them for sure.”
Responsibility Before Personal Feelings
A reporter asked whether Carrick felt let down by experienced internationals who have won major trophies. He said he did not take it personally and stressed the bigger picture.
“Yeah, I don’t take it personally, it’s everything’s wrapped around the football club, what you do, your behaviours and how you perform and how you go about it. More importantly is responsibility to represent this football club.
I’m in the position, yeah, of course I am, and I’ve played that with real privilege, but it’s about the football club, you know, and what we represent and the supporters. It wasn’t just the goals, I’m totally honest, you know, it wasn’t just the goals, it was the manner and the way we played at times and the way we went about it was a difficult thing to watch for me.”
Does He Want to Carry On?
Carrick was asked whether any part of him wanted to walk away. His answer was a firm no.
“No, it’s not about me right now and my feelings in that regard. It’s more of as a team, as a football club, what we want to look like, what we should look like. As I said, the results can come and go at times, but you’ve got to do it a certain way and that wasn’t it.”
Bruno Fernandes and the Pressing Question
Bruno Fernandes spoke after the game about instructions not to press man to man, which came from the staff. He appeared to question that approach. Carrick was asked what he made of it.
“We actually half pressed man to man in the second half and then conceded a goal from that, is a little bit on whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, but if you don’t run, you don’t run forward, you don’t run back, you aren’t going to win.”
Are the Players Still Playing for Him?
Given Fernandes’ comments, Carrick was asked whether the players are still playing for him.
“It shouldn’t be me, it’s not about playing for me, it’s about playing for this football club. It’s the responsibility that comes with. Whether I’m in the position, I’m responsible for the football club and the supporters, I’m giving my best, absolute best, all the time, care about it, my whole life is wrapped around it. L
isten, it might go well, it might not go so well, but I’ve genuinely when you give everything that I possibly can. It’s really not about me, it’s about what we all give as staff for this football club.”
He was then asked whether every player gives as much as he does.
“I would like to think so, I didn’t like what I saw tonight though.”
Anger and Frustration After a Deflating Night
Carrick did not hide his emotions. Asked how he would lift the mood before the Bournemouth game, he again turned the focus away from himself.
“Again, it’s not about me. I’m okay, I’m bitterly disappointed, I’m frustrated, more than frustrated, I’m really angry to be honest, but you’ve got to move on to what’s next. See what that looks like at this moment in time, there’s a lot to do before that next game and to get the team ready because that was a difficult night for everyone tonight.”
No Thought for His Own Position
The final question concerned his future. Carrick was asked whether he felt the hierarchy might take the job away from him.
“I have not given my own position any thought. This is for the supporters, and I was one of them tonight watching that and I wasn’t happy at all.”
Bournemouth Offer a Chance to Respond
United now turn their attention to Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday. It gives the squad a chance to answer the criticism quickly.
After this Carrick apology, the manager’s message is clear: he wants intensity, aggression and total commitment. Now the players must show it on the pitch.
